Welcome Dr. Kelly Miranda: Fellowship-Trained Pediatric Podiatrist Joins DMV Foot & Ankle

Alex Mattia
Feb 14
6 min read

DMV Foot & Ankle is excited to announce a significant milestone in our practice: the addition of Dr. Kelly Miranda, a fellowship-trained pediatric podiatrist whose specialized expertise is bringing an entirely new dimension of care to our Washington, DC patients. Dr. Miranda's arrival marks the launch of our dedicated Pediatric Podiatry program — a first-of-its-kind offering in our practice that positions DMV Foot & Ankle as the premier destination for children's foot and ankle care in the DMV region.

A Warm Welcome to Dr. Kelly Miranda

On behalf of the entire DMV Foot & Ankle team — and Dr. Alex Mattia — we extend a heartfelt welcome to Dr. Miranda and invite our patients, families, and community to join us in celebrating this exciting addition to our practice. Dr. Miranda brings not only exceptional clinical training but a genuine passion for helping children achieve healthy, active lives free from foot and ankle pain.

If you have a child experiencing foot pain, gait abnormalities, flat feet, sports injuries, or any other lower extremity concern, Dr. Miranda is now accepting new patients. We encourage you to reach out at 202-726-1800 or email care@dmvfoot.com to schedule a consultation.

Fellowship-Trained: What It Means and Why It Matters

Fellowship training represents the highest level of post-doctoral clinical specialization available in podiatric medicine. After completing her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree and residency program, Dr. Miranda pursued a competitive pediatric fellowship — an additional year of immersive, hands-on training exclusively focused on children's foot and ankle conditions.

This level of specialization is rare. Most podiatrists treat general foot conditions across all age groups. Fellowship-trained pediatric podiatrists, by contrast, dedicate their advanced training specifically to understanding the unique anatomy, growth patterns, biomechanics, and developmental stages of children's feet — from newborns through adolescence. This focused expertise allows Dr. Miranda to identify and treat conditions that general podiatrists may overlook, misdiagnose, or manage less effectively.

For DMV Foot & Ankle patients, this means your children now have access to a specialist whose training is specifically designed for their unique needs — not a generalist adapting adult protocols to pediatric patients.

Why Pediatric Podiatry Requires Specialized Training

Children are not simply small adults. Their musculoskeletal systems are in constant states of growth and development, making pediatric foot and ankle conditions fundamentally different from adult presentations. Several factors make specialized training essential:

Growth Plates (Physes): Children have open growth plates throughout their bones. Injuries or conditions affecting these areas require specialized management to prevent long-term deformity or growth disruption. Dr. Miranda's training equips her to carefully navigate treatment decisions that protect developing bones.
Developmental Milestones: Many childhood foot conditions — including flatfoot, in-toeing, and out-toeing — are normal variations that resolve with age. Knowing when to monitor, when to intervene, and when to reassure parents requires deep familiarity with developmental norms that only specialized training provides.
Gait Analysis in Children: Normal gait patterns evolve significantly from toddlerhood through adolescence. Dr. Miranda's fellowship training includes advanced pediatric gait analysis, enabling her to distinguish pathological gait from typical developmental patterns and intervene appropriately.
Pediatric-Specific Conditions: Conditions like Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis), Kohler's disease, Freiberg's infraction, juvenile bunions, and pediatric flatfoot have distinct presentations, natural histories, and treatment algorithms compared to their adult counterparts.
Patient Communication: Working effectively with children and their families requires a specific skill set. Dr. Miranda's fellowship training included extensive experience communicating diagnoses, treatment plans, and expectations to both pediatric patients and their parents in age-appropriate, reassuring ways.

Conditions Dr. Miranda Treats: Our New Pediatric Podiatry Program

Dr. Miranda's arrival launches our comprehensive Pediatric Podiatry program at DMV Foot & Ankle — a new service category designed to address the full spectrum of children's foot and ankle conditions. Here is what our pediatric program offers:

Heel Pain in Children (Sever's Disease)

Sever's disease is the most common cause of heel pain in active children ages 8-14. It occurs when the Achilles tendon pulls on the still-developing growth plate at the back of the heel. Dr. Miranda's fellowship training included extensive experience diagnosing and treating this condition, helping young athletes return to sports quickly and safely while protecting their developing heels.

Pediatric Flatfoot (Flexible and Rigid)

Flatfoot is common in children, and most cases are flexible and resolve naturally. However, some children develop symptomatic flatfoot causing pain, fatigue, or activity limitations, while others have rigid flatfoot requiring more aggressive intervention. Dr. Miranda expertly distinguishes between these presentations and provides customized treatment ranging from observation and custom orthotics to surgical correction when truly necessary.

Gait Abnormalities (In-Toeing & Out-Toeing)

Parents frequently bring their toddlers and young children in concerned about pigeon toes (in-toeing) or duck feet (out-toeing). Dr. Miranda provides comprehensive gait evaluations to determine whether these patterns are within normal developmental ranges or represent conditions requiring treatment. Her fellowship training provides the expertise to make these distinctions accurately and communicate findings clearly to anxious parents.

Juvenile Bunions

Bunions in children and adolescents present unique management challenges. Because growth plates are still open, surgical timing and technique differ significantly from adult bunion surgery. Dr. Miranda's pediatric fellowship provided specialized training in juvenile bunion management, including when conservative care is appropriate and when surgery is warranted — and how to perform it safely in growing feet.

Pediatric Sports Injuries

Young athletes are particularly vulnerable to growth plate injuries (Salter-Harris fractures), stress fractures, ankle sprains, and overuse syndromes. Dr. Miranda specializes in treating these injuries with protocols designed specifically for growing bodies, ensuring safe return to sport while protecting long-term musculoskeletal health.

Congenital & Developmental Foot Conditions

From clubfoot and metatarsus adductus in infants to tarsal coalitions and accessory navicular in adolescents, Dr. Miranda is equipped to diagnose and manage the full spectrum of congenital and developmental foot conditions. Early detection and appropriate management of these conditions is critical for ensuring normal foot development and function throughout a child's life.

Ingrown Toenails in Children

Ingrown toenails are a significant source of pain and anxiety for children. Dr. Miranda is experienced in performing pediatric nail procedures using child-friendly approaches that minimize discomfort and fear. For chronic cases, she offers permanent nail border removal procedures that prevent recurrence.

Warts and Skin Conditions

Plantar warts are extremely common in school-age children and can be painful and resistant to over-the-counter treatments. Dr. Miranda offers effective pediatric-appropriate wart treatment protocols, as well as management of other pediatric skin conditions including tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and dermatitis.

What Makes DMV Foot & Ankle's Pediatric Program Unique in the DMV

The DMV area has no shortage of general podiatrists, but fellowship-trained pediatric podiatrists are exceptionally rare. Dr. Miranda's specialized training places DMV Foot & Ankle in an elite category, offering a level of pediatric expertise that most practices simply cannot match. Here is what sets our program apart:

Fellowship-Trained Specialist: Dr. Miranda is one of a small number of fellowship-trained pediatric podiatrists practicing in the Washington, DC area — a credential that reflects the highest level of specialized training available.
Collaborative Care Model: Pediatric patients benefit from the combined expertise of Dr. Miranda and Dr. Mattia (dual board-certified, ABFAS 2024, ABPM 2020, ACPPS 2025). Complex cases can be co-managed, ensuring children receive the full benefit of our practice's comprehensive capabilities.
Child-Centered Environment: Our practice is committed to creating a welcoming, low-anxiety environment for pediatric patients. Dr. Miranda's training emphasizes child-friendly communication and examination techniques that put young patients at ease.
Conservative-First Philosophy: Consistent with our practice-wide approach, Dr. Miranda prioritizes conservative, non-surgical management for pediatric conditions whenever appropriate — understanding that surgery in growing children requires particularly careful consideration.
Convenient Access: Located at 106 Irving St NW Ste 402, Washington, DC 20010, with on-site parking garage (Physician's Office Parking) available, our practice is easily accessible from throughout the DMV region.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Pediatric Podiatry Program

At what age should I bring my child to a pediatric podiatrist?

Dr. Miranda sees patients from birth through 18 years of age. Early evaluation is recommended if you notice your infant has clubfoot, curved feet, or unusual foot positioning. For toddlers and older children, evaluation is warranted if you observe toe walking, significant tripping, complaints of foot or leg pain, or difficulty keeping up with peers during physical activities.

Is my child's flatfoot something to be concerned about?

Most children have flat feet, and many cases are completely normal and resolve naturally as the arch develops. However, flatfoot that causes pain, fatigue, or activity limitations deserves evaluation. Dr. Miranda will assess your child's specific situation and provide an evidence-based recommendation — which may simply be reassurance and monitoring.

My child is a competitive athlete. Can Dr. Miranda help with sports-related foot and ankle injuries?

Absolutely. Dr. Miranda has specialized training in pediatric sports medicine as it relates to foot and ankle injuries. She understands the demands of youth sports and the importance of safe, timely return to activity. She will develop a treatment plan that addresses your young athlete's injury while protecting their developing musculoskeletal system.

Do you accept insurance for pediatric appointments?

Yes, DMV Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans for pediatric podiatry appointments. We recommend calling our office at 202-726-1800 to verify your child's specific coverage prior to your appointment.

Schedule Your Child's Appointment Today

Dr. Kelly Miranda is now accepting new pediatric patients at DMV Foot & Ankle. Whether your child is experiencing heel pain, gait concerns, sports injuries, or any other foot and ankle issue, our fellowship-trained specialist is here to help.

Phone: 202-726-1800
Email: care@dmvfoot.com
Address: 106 Irving St NW Ste 402, Washington, DC 20010
Parking: On-site parking garage available (Physician's Office Parking)

We look forward to welcoming your family to the DMV Foot & Ankle community and providing your children with the specialized foot and ankle care they deserve.