Many factors might be causing your child’s ankle to roll in. We’ll go through some possibilities with you today. But here’s something we won’t say: Don’t be concerned. They’ll grow out of the issue.
Sadly, when parents inquire about their children’s foot and ankle pain or appearance, they’re met with that response. That can be true in certain cases, and the child will eventually grow out of it. However, I still don’t like this answer. Foot and ankle pain should never be a part of a child’s life, even if it’s only for a short time.
Therefore, if a parent observes their child’s ankle rolling in, there is a problem. And it’s a symptom of a serious condition I’d never overlook.
What are the Consequences of Rolling Ankles?
When your child’s ankle turns inward, this is known as pronation. You’ll notice various concerns in addition to the ankle discomfort. It’s possible that your child has flat feet, wherein the arch disappears when your child stands flat.
A large protrusion will most likely be visible on the inside of your child’s ankle as well. Non-physical symptoms may also be an issue. Your child can appear to be unathletic. He or she may whine about having to walk or run long distances or refuse to do so. A small kid might sit and cry about the situation. An older child may also complain of pain in his or her feet, ankles, or knees.
All of these signs and symptoms point to the same problem: pronation. For young children, some pronation is normal. But it’s a major issue for older kids. So, if your child experiences any of these symptoms, it’s time to schedule an appointment with the Houston podiatrist. I specialize in treating children, and I’m not going to wait for them to ‘outgrow’ a problem.
Why? Because these children often don’t grow out of these conditions. In reality, they gain the capacity to compensate for them. That might lead to bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, knee pain, and arthritis in the future. That’s why we need to figure out what’s causing your child’s pronation and make the appropriate intervention.
Children learn to compensate for their foot issues
What Causes Children’s Ankles to Roll In?
As previously stated, a variety of factors might cause your child’s ankle to roll. Is there a common cause? Loose ligaments are a common symptom of poor muscular tone. If your child’s ligaments are loose, they will no longer be able to prevent joints from moving too far. As a result, you could see your kids’ ankles pronating.
Some children are born with ankle mechanics that cause them to roll in. This is referred to as a hereditary cause. So, if your ankles roll in, don’t be shocked if your child’s do as well.
Furthermore, your pregnancy may have contributed to pronation, because your baby’s location in the womb might influence the development of his or her feet in some situations. In other words, fetal posture can promote childhood pronation in some instances.
Now that we’ve covered all of that, let’s get to the crucial part. We want to address whatever is causing your child’s rolling ankles. Quickly. Because treatments work best in young children, due to the fact that their bodies are still developing.
Treatment of Pronation in Children
Rolling ankles are treated by improving your child’s mechanics. That may seem sophisticated, but it’s actually rather basic. In fact, if therapy begins at a young age, insoles or custom orthotics may be able to address the condition. What’s better? Your child will stay active with this non-invasive treatment. It might also save you money in the long run by avoiding surgery and other issues.
Don’t panic if orthotics alone isn’t enough to retrain your child’s foot. Night braces and physical therapy have helped many children overcome pronation.
Of course, whatever treatment we pick, we must keep one thing in mind. Your child needs to be able to walk and play freely. So, if one treatment for flat feet fails, we’ll try something else. At the end of the day, children’s feet should never suffer. Even though pronation does not hurt at first, if left untreated, it will cause pain and discomfort in the future.
Have you observed how your child’s ankles are beginning to roll in? Is your child clumsy, frequently stumbling over his or her own feet? Is it difficult to participate in sports or simply go for long walks? If you responded yes to any of these questions, please read the following paragraphs very carefully.
None of these are ‘typical’ childhood experiences. They’re not going to grow out of it. We can make a major impact in your child’s life with a brief visit to our Houston podiatry clinic. Rolling ankles may be overcome and difficulties later in life avoided.
Does that make sense? We concur! So don’t put it off any longer! Make an appointment at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center to get your child’s inward rolling ankles treated right away.
