For most children, Spring means an increase in outdoor activities. At Feet First Foot Care, we want to remind our Middlesex County patients that increased participation in outdoor activities can also increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries. Many athletes (even young) sometimes are told to “play through the pain.” Overuse injuries are a major risk factor for young children whose bones are still growing.

Tips To Prevent Common Sports Injuries

  1. Get the appropriate safety gear – helmets, goggles, boots, and any other needed equipment are essential to keeping a child’s body protected and avoiding injuries during sports.
  2. Try to have your child be engaged in physical activities throughout the winter season – It’s important to gradually increase their fitness level as the sports season approaches and encourage your child to become more active.
  3. Keep kids hydrated – drinking plenty of water before and after sports prevents cramping and other issues. Plus, it’s an opportunity for your child to rest.
  4. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons states that rubber cleats are not necessary for children under 10 – alternatively children can use an all-purpose sports shoe.
  5. Pediatric heel pain is quite different from adult heel pain – it does not get better with walking around.

Foot and Ankle Injuries in Young Athletes

It is difficult for children to articulate when they are in pain, so it is important to always keep an eye on growing feet. Generally, injuries seen in younger athletes fall into three categories: injuries related to growth, overuse injuries, or acute presentations. Overuse injuries include Stress Fractures and Achilles Tendonitis.

  • 10% of all injuries in the ER are ankle sprains
  • 83% of ankle injuries are diagnosed as ligament sprains with incomplete tears
  • 90% of ankle sprains are due to poor playing field conditions (mainly because all fields are not created equal)

Don’t Ignore Your Child’s Foot Pain

Accidents do happen! Parents and coaches should be alert to a child limping on and off the field. Parents can watch for symptoms of common sports injuries, such as pain in daily activities, swelling, or bruising. If your child hurts their foot or ankle, schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas, so he can provide the best course of treatment. Call our Cromwell, CT office at (860) 632-5499 or visit our website for more information. 

Questions or Comments?

We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

Call Today (860) 632-5499

162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416