August is National Back to School Month. If you’re wondering what podiatrists have to do with this month, just look at your child’s feet. Whether they are playing a fall sport or simply walking around the classroom, they will need a supportive foundation. We’re talking about shoes. Now is an excellent time to start gathering school supplies, too.

Dr. Anant Joshi at Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC knows that many people assume pediatric podiatry isn’t a thing. In fact, there is still much more to teach people about the field. One of the most important things we tell parents is that we are here for prevention, too. We would love to see you for things other than injuries. If you have questions about shoe styles or family foot conditions, we’re here to help.

Here are three questions to ask the podiatrist this back-to-school season:

Do you see any concerns?

Podiatrists are the foot and ankle specialists. With one look, they may notice something that has never captured your attention. It could be the early sign of a bunion or the first symptoms of an infected ingrown toenail. From the way your child walks, to discoloration on your toes, there are so many ways a podiatrist partners with parents.

Do you think my child can return to sports?

For parents, they want to make sure their child gets back on the field or the court, but they want them to be healthy. If your child is recovering from a summer injury, checking in with a podiatrist is a must before heading back to school. Starting a sport before a full recovery can only worsen your child’s condition.

Does my child need to come back regularly?

For some children, visits to the podiatrist may be more frequent — and that’s OK. Every child has different foot needs, and podiatrists are working with parents to make sure they have healthy, strong feet and ankles for the future. We want parents to know they don’t have to address or guess foot pain alone.

Are you ready for the new school year? Team up with us for a terrific start.

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi treats a range of conditions, including Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, athlete’s foot, complications from diabetes, fractures, fungal toenails, and more. He also performs foot and ankle surgery. He is a board-certified podiatrist in Woodland Park, NJ. Contact the office at 973-256-0002.