Peter Wishnie, DPM, a podiatrist in Hillsborough and Piscataway, NJ traveled to Texas  to run in the metroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon benefiting an exceptional children’s orthopedic hospital. Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children treats children with all sorts of pediatric orthopedic disorders as well as neurological disorders. The metroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon has pledged to donate $1 million dollars to the hospital through the marathons, donations and corporate sponsors.

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital treats children from birth up to 18 years of age in conditions such as scoliosis, hip dysplasia, limb lengthening to dyslexia. The hospital also treats children with foot problems such as in toeing, flat feet and clubfoot. The hospital’s dedication to treating these birth conditions led them to open the Center for Excellence in Clubfoot Research.  “The race was especially important to me and I ran it in Dallas to support the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital because my friend, and fellow podiatrist, Dr. Marybeth Crane’s daughter was a patient there.”

Clubfoot is one of the most common birth conditions effecting about one in every one thousand newborns.  Although it is not life threatening, it can have a serious impact on a child’s life. Clubfoot is a condition that turns the foot to the side, causing the limb to appear shorter. The causes for clubfoot have not been fully determined; however the chances of a baby being born with clubfoot doubles if one or more of the parents had the condition.

Clubfoot can be very painful and will make walking extremely difficult. Treatment will include casting to move the foot into the correct position. Stretching, physical therapy and braces may also be needed to guide the foot and keep it straight. In worst case situations, surgery may be needed to correct the foot.

At Family Foot & Ankle Specialists, we treat children with all kinds of foot and ankle disorders. Clubfoot, flat feet, sever’s disease and in-toeing are common children’s foot problems. “Most of children’s foot problems can be treated conservatively without the need for surgical intervention.  Corrective shoes, braces, and casts can be used to painlessly treat most conditions, “Dr. Wishnie explains. If children’s foot problems are left untreated more serious issues can arise including walking problems, arthritis, and bone problems.