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 If
you study a child's parents and grandparents, you will be able to tell
what kind of foot, leg and back ailments may await them as they grow
older, barring any trauma.
With that in mind, the best way to prevent
debilitating ailments if there is a hereditary tendency is to have the
child fitted with functional foot orthotics as soon as possible.
That's the advice of Dr. Harold Reinhartz, podiatrist
and medical director of Footcare Express, which has two locations in
Miami, one at 7756 SW 88 Street and another at 2980 Aventura
Boulevard.
"The perception is that functional foot orthotics
are for essentially the older population," said Reinhartz.
"They live their lives with aches and pains and think that's
normal. When they're 60 or 70, they find that they can't take it any
more. Use of functional foot orthotics is a way to prevent that pain
or deformity in a child."
Reinhartz adds that 80 percent of the population has
foot problems at one time or another. He says most children won't
complain of foot pain until they are running. But, if a family has a
history of foot problems, they most likely began in childhood. Here
are some early warning signs that could indicate that a child is a
candidate for foot orthotics:
*Feet turn in or out excessively.
*A bouncy gait.
*Bouts with fatigue.
*Trips a lot while running.
If you notice any of these abnormalities in your
child, schedule a visit to a physician who is bio-mechanically trained
to recognize such signs. The doctor most likely will:
*Take your family history
*Watch your child's walk
*Test muscle strength
*Check range of motion and alignment of joints
*Perform a complete neurological examination
If a child is not walking after 12 months, it is an
indication that the youngster may have a biomechanical or organic foot
problem.
Most manufacturers' shoes can accommodate foot
orthotics.
"The foot orthotic can help keep the foot from
breaking down," said Jarett Reinhartz, managing director of
Footcare Express. He added that wearing a foot orthotic in early
childhood does not necessarily mean that a person will be forced to
wear them all of their life.
Costs for custom foot orthotics for children average
between $100 and $300, varying depending on the complexity of the
problem. Orthotics should be changed every six months, as the child
grows and shoe size increases.
For more information, please call 305-663-1417.
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