Pediatric Podiatrist

Expert Children's Foot Doctor in Orange County

Children's feet are not simply "miniature adult feet." Their bones are still soft, growing, and fusing together, making them highly susceptible to unique developmental conditions, growth plate inflammations, and structural imbalances. As a specialized pediatric podiatrist in Irvine, Dr. Sima Soltani provides gentle, compassionate care to ensure your child’s foundation develops correctly.

We welcome children of all ages and families with special pediatric podiatry needs. Preventing a lifetime of foot and back pain begins in childhood. If you notice any signs of discomfort or abnormal walking patterns, we are here to provide stress-free, painless evaluations for your little ones.

Gait Abnormalities: Tripping and Clumsiness

Is your toddler constantly tripping or falling during playtime? This is often the first visible sign of a gait abnormality. We frequently treat children whose toes point excessively inward (in-toeing or "pigeon toes") or outward (out-toeing). We also evaluate structural leg alignments, such as knock knees or bow legs, which can alter a child's center of gravity and make running difficult.

Pediatric Flat Feet & Nighttime Leg Cramps

While many infants appear to have flat feet, the arch should naturally develop as they grow. If your older child exhibits severe flat feet, you may notice bulging ankles as the foot collapses inward. This overpronation forces the leg muscles to work overtime. Consequently, children with untreated flat feet often complain of feeling "tired" quickly, refusing to walk long distances, or waking up crying with intense leg cramps in the middle of the night.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Children rarely know how to articulate foot pain. Instead, they may simply withdraw from activities they normally enjoy. As a parent, watch for these common red flags that indicate it is time to see a pediatric foot doctor:

• Abnormal Shoe Wear: Check the bottom of your child's shoes. If one side of the heel or sole is significantly more worn down than the other, it indicates a severe biomechanical imbalance.
• Overlapping or Under-lapping Toes: Toes that curl under or cross over one another can lead to painful friction and permanent deformity if not gently corrected.
• Skin and Nail Issues: Children frequently contract plantar warts from school locker rooms or swimming pools. They are also prone to painful ingrown toenails and friction-induced corns or calluses.

Our Pediatric Prevention & Screening Program

Dr. Soltani firmly believes that early intervention is the key to healthy development. If structural abnormalities are caught early, a pediatric podiatrist can gently correct them using stretching regimens or specialized pediatric custom orthotics, guiding the soft bones to grow into the proper position before they permanently fuse.

Frequently Asked Questions by Parents