Across Middlesex County, children and teens are gearing up for the fall sports season. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we’re happy some things seem to be getting back on track for our and their team sports participation. However, we also want to remind parents and athletes that while there are many benefits to playing sports, there are also potential pitfalls for foot and ankle injuries.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help ensure a safe and injury-free sports season for your youngster’s athletic activities:

  1. Don’t wait for the first practice to get moving. Going directly from the couch to the playing field is an invitation to many common sports injuries, from ankle sprains to Achilles tendonitis. Hopefully, your child has been engaged in physical activities throughout the summer. It’s important to increase their fitness level as the sports season approaches gradually. Encourage your child to become more active and perhaps contact their coach pre-season for some conditioning suggestions to get in shape for their sport.

  2. Buy new athletic shoes. Most likely, your children will have outgrown their sports shoes from last season. If last year’s model still fits, be sure to inspect externally and internally signs of wear, such as worn treads, stretched-out uppers, and tears or holes. It’s best to buy sport-specific athletic shoes designed for the specific movements each sport requires. Get feet properly measured and fitted too.

  3. Get old injuries re-evaluated. Contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 for an appointment if your child sustained an injury over the last year. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will want to check on how well your child has recovered from a previous injury and may make recommendations for accommodations this season to prevent re-injury.

  4. Stress proper form and technique. Look for a sports program committed to teaching young athletes the right way to move and execute plays for their sport. It is an important safeguard against injuries.

  5. Stretch it out. Don’t let your child skip this important pre-and post-workout step. It helps improve flexibility and range of motion and helps ensure muscles are functioning smoothly, decreasing injury risk.

  6. Never play through the pain. Don’t subscribe to the old adage, “no pain, no gain.” If your child’s foot or ankle is hurting, promptly get them off the field and to the foot doctor. Don’t risk a worse injury that could sideline them for the remainder of the season or longer.

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