The majority of athletic injuries affect the foot, leg, or ankle. This is true in both adults and children.To reduce the incidence of sports injuries in children, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons has recently developed some recommendations for injury prevention.
- Treat foot and ankle injuries immediately. What seems like a sprain isn’t always a sprain. Aside from ligament injuries, your child might have injured bones or cartilage.Schedule an appointment with our office for proper treatment if your child has a foot or ankle injury. Failure to treat injuries appropriately and in timely manner can lead to long-term instability or arthritis later in life.
- Have old sprains checked before a sports season starts. A podiatric surgeon can tell whether a previous injury might be vulnerable to sprains and when an old injury may benefit from wearing a brace or other support during the season.
- Get the right shoes for the chosen sport. Each sport requires a different sports specific type of shoe. Football and baseball cleats are not interchangeable.
- Start each season with new, appropriately-fitted shoes. Old shoes wear down over time and become uneven on the bottom. When a shoe can’t lie flat, the ankle will tilt, increasing the risk of sprains and strains.
- Walk the field before any practice or game.Check for dips, divots, or holes, as most sports related ankle sprains are caused by running or jumping on uneven surfaces. This is especially a risk at nonprofessional settings such as parks. If you notice any irregularities, notify coaching officials.
Following these recommendations should be helpful in preventing athletic injuries. If your child experiences any type of injury, please do not hesitate to make an appointment at one of our offices.