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Functional Development of the Pediatric Foot

Presented by Liesa M. Ritchie

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Do you have appropriate knowledge of age appropriate foot development, and are you able to apply it clinically, as it relates to the child’s lower extremity alignment and gait? This course provides a review of ideal boney architecture. It provides a greater understanding of ideal foot position & function, while discussing optimum muscle activity. As a result, the clinician will be better equipped to assess the pediatric foot, and determine the appropriate intervention.

Meet your instructor

Liesa M. Ritchie

Liesa M. Ritchie (formerly Persaud) is a licensed physical therapist with over 33 years experience in the field of pediatric therapy. Liesa is the owner of Know to Change, an organization dedicated to advancing the knowledge and skills of clinicians in pediatric practice. Both nationally and internationally, she has educated…

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Chapters & learning objectives

“Why Should We Care?

1. “Why Should We Care?

In this chapter, the potential for pain & injury that exists with non-ideal foot development is reviewed. Through a description of ossification, students are better able to understand history of use & increase their awareness of physiological adaptation. In doing so, they will appreciate the importance of appropriate timing of biomechanical development, & develop a greater appreciation for dysfunctional energy expenditure.

“Then Let’s Do Something!” - Assessment Procedures & Age Specific Values

2. “Then Let’s Do Something!” - Assessment Procedures & Age Specific Values

By developing skill in clinically relevant orthopedic assessment procedures, students will learn how to obtain significant, age appropriate & applicable foot & lower extremity values. After watching this chapter, students will also be able to apply “relaxed calcaneal stance” findings to improve distal stability, & utilize DF measurements to assess functional gait.

“But What?

3. “But What?

The final chapter of this course helps the student to recognize mobile vs pathological pronation, & explain the importance of utilizing transverse plane motion & ankle strategies. By developing a greater awareness of early gait development, students will learn the influence of the early walker’s foot on postural control & balance.