Expert Advice from Pauline Kelly – Instep of Oakham

Your baby’s feet are the foundation for a lifetime of movement, balance, and mobility. From their first little kicks to their first steps, proper foot care is essential to ensure healthy growth and development. At Instep of Oakham, we specialise in paediatric foot health, helping parents support their child’s foot development from birth to toddlerhood.

Newborn Foot Care (0–6 Months)

How to Care for Newborn Feet

✅ Allow natural movement – Let your baby kick freely to strengthen their muscles.
✅ Check foot positioning – Slightly turned-in feet are common and usually self-correct.
✅ Encourage tummy time – Strengthens leg and foot muscles, preparing for standing and walking.
✅ Avoid restrictive clothing – Sleepsuits and socks should have enough space for toe movement.
✅ No need for shoes – Soft socks or booties are enough to keep little feet warm.

Infant Foot Care (6–12 Months) – Preparing for Crawling & Standing

As your baby becomes more active, their feet start developing arches and stronger muscles in preparation for standing and walking.

How to Care for Infant Feet

✅ Let them go barefoot indoors – This helps develop balance, coordination, and sensory awareness.
✅ Check for tight socks or clothing – Ensure toes can move freely without restriction.
✅ Gently massage and stretch their feet – Promotes circulation and flexibility.
✅ Encourage crawling and standing on different surfaces – Strengthens foot and leg muscles.

Toddler Foot Care (12–24 Months) – First Steps & Walking

Once your child starts walking, their feet undergo rapid changes. It is normal for toddlers to have flat feet or wobbly steps as they develop strength and coordination.

Choosing the Right Shoes for First Walkers

👣 Wait before buying shoes – Walking barefoot strengthens foot muscles and improves coordination.
👣 Opt for lightweight, flexible shoes – Soft, breathable materials with a wide toe box allow natural movement.
👣 Check for proper fit – There should be a thumb’s width of space between the longest toe and the shoe front.
👣 Avoid stiff soles – A flexible sole helps with balance and proper foot development.

Common Toddler Foot Issues

🔹 Flat feet – Normal in early walking stages but should be monitored beyond age 3.
🔹 Toe-walking – Occasional toe-walking is fine, but persistent toe-walking may require assessment.
🔹 In-toeing (pigeon toes) – Usually corrects itself but should be monitored if it continues past early childhood.
🔹 Blisters or redness from shoes – Ensure shoes fit properly and replace them as feet grow rapidly.

When to See a Podiatrist at Instep of Oakham?

Book an appointment at Instep of Oakham if you notice:
❌ Delayed walking beyond 18 months
❌ Frequent tripping or falling
❌ Persistent toe-walking or in-toeing beyond age 3
❌ Pain, swelling, or difficulty standing
❌ Uneven shoe wear patterns

At Instep of Oakham, Pauline Kelly specialises in children’s foot health and provides expert assessments, gait analysis, and treatment plans to support your child’s healthy foot development.

Final Thoughts

Your baby’s feet are constantly growing and changing. By providing the right care, footwear, and early intervention when needed, you can help prevent potential foot problems and support healthy movement.

Book an Appointment with Pauline Kelly at Instep of Oakham for expert paediatric foot care and guidance!

Pain in the big toe joint can make walking, running, and even standing uncomfortable. Whether it’s a sharp pain, stiffness, or swelling, this issue can significantly impact daily life. At Instep of Oakham, our expert podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating big toe joint pain to help you regain mobility and comfort.

What Causes Big Toe Joint Pain?

Big toe joint pain, also known as metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint pain, can have several underlying causes:

1. Hallux Limitus & Hallux Rigidus (Big Toe Arthritis)

🔹 A progressive condition where the joint cartilage wears down, leading to stiffness and reduced movement.
🔹 Early-stage (Hallux Limitus) causes mild stiffness, while advanced cases (Hallux Rigidus) can lead to complete joint immobility.

2. Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

🔹 A bony bump forms at the base of the big toe, often due to genetics or improper footwear.
🔹 The misalignment of the toe joint causes pain, swelling, and difficulty wearing shoes.

3. Gout

🔹 A form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystal buildup in the joint.
🔹 Leads to sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling, often triggered by certain foods and drinks.

4. Sesamoiditis (Inflammation of Small Bones Under the Joint)

🔹 The sesamoid bones, located under the big toe joint, can become inflamed due to excessive pressure from activities like running or dancing.
🔹 This results in pain, especially when pushing off the toes.

5. Turf Toe (Ligament Sprain)

🔹 Common in athletes, turf toe occurs when the big toe is forcefully bent backward, leading to ligament strain.
🔹 Symptoms include pain, swelling, and difficulty bending the toe.

6. Overuse and Biomechanical Issues

🔹 Flat feet, high arches, or improper walking patterns can put excess stress on the big toe joint.
🔹 Wearing unsupportive shoes can worsen the pain.

How Instep of Oakham Can Help

At Instep of Oakham, our expert podiatrists provide personalised treatment to address the root cause of your big toe joint pain. Here’s how we can help:

1. Comprehensive Foot Assessment & Gait Analysis

✅ We use advanced technology to examine foot structure, gait mechanics, and joint movement.
✅ Identifying underlying biomechanical issues helps create a targeted treatment plan.

2. Custom Orthotics & Insole Therapy

✅ Bespoke orthotics (custom insoles) help correct foot posture, reduce pressure on the big toe, and improve alignment.
✅ Cushioned or rigid insoles can provide relief for arthritis or bunion pain.

3. Footwear Advice & Modifications

✅ We recommend wide-toe box shoes, rocker-bottom soles, or specialist footwear to alleviate pain.
✅ Avoiding high heels or narrow shoes can help prevent worsening conditions like bunions.

4. Manual Therapy & Joint Mobilization

✅ Hands-on treatment helps improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness, particularly for arthritis-related pain.
✅ Techniques like massage, stretching, and manipulation can enhance movement and reduce inflammation.

5. Injection Therapy

✅ Effective for arthritis, sesamoiditis, and soft tissue injuries, this treatment helps stimulate healing and reduce pain.

6. Strengthening & Rehabilitation Exercises

✅ Toe stretches and strengthening exercises improve joint flexibility and reduce strain.
✅ We provide a tailored exercise plan to maintain foot health and prevent future issues.

7. Minimally Invasive & Surgical Referrals

✅ If conservative treatments don’t provide relief, we can refer you for bunion surgery, joint fusion, or cheilectomy (bone spur removal) for severe arthritis cases.

 

When to See a Podiatrist?

You should book an appointment at Instep of Oakham if you experience:

❌ Persistent or worsening pain in the big toe joint
❌ Swelling, redness, or stiffness affecting movement
❌ Difficulty walking or wearing shoes comfortably
❌ A visible bunion, deformity, or lump at the joint

Final Thoughts

Big toe joint pain can limit mobility and reduce your quality of life, but early intervention can prevent long-term complications. At Instep of Oakham, our expert podiatrists provide specialised treatments tailored to your needs, helping you move comfortably again.

Book an Appointment Today and take the first step toward pain relief!