How To Prevent Kids’ Fall Sports Injuries
Now that school has started in most of Connecticut, it’s time for fall sports. Across the country, almost 8 million children participated in sports last year.
The last thing that a parent would want is to have your child injured while enjoying sports practice and games. Whether they choose football, field hockey, cross country, soccer or cheerleading, your child should be physically ready to play and properly equipped.
Most Common Fall Sports Injuries of the Foot and Ankle
Fractures are common in sports that require contact with other players. Fractures can be very painful and require immediate treatment from your foot doctor. The ankle bone can be fractured as can the many bones of the foot.
Sprains come from sudden, awkward movements or overuse. Even an athlete in good shape can sustain a sprain. A sprain is a stretch or tear of ligaments which hold bones together at a joint. Many sprains will respond to RICE care: Rest, Icing, Compression and Elevation. However, if the pain and swelling of a sprain are not relieved within a day, please see your podiatrist for the best treatment.
Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the large tendon that attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone. This injury causes pain and stiffness at the back of the heel and can happen when pushing off with the foot in soccer and football.
Preventing Fall Sports Injuries
Many of the above sports injuries can be avoided with the proper preparation:
· Physical exam. Your pediatrician will examine your child to look for signs that they should not be playing sports or what to watch for. The doctor may have special instructions based on your child’s needs that should be followed.
· Warm up properly. Make sure that a warm-up including gentle stretches is part of your child’s workouts.
· Fields in good condition. Make sure that fields and other playing surfaces are in good condition with no holes or other dangers.
· Don’t play through an injury. If your child admits to pain or shows symptoms like limping or favoring a foot, make sure he or she understands that it is time to take a break. Playing through pain is a sure way to worsen an injury.
· Invest in good equipment. Don’t skimp on sports shoes, cleats, mouth guards or other sports equipment.
Injuries do happen, despite your best efforts to prevent them. Please call if your child sustains a foot or ankle injury. We are here to help!
Let Us Know If Your Child Has a Sports Injury
The foot specialists at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center have extensive experience in treating all aspects of foot problems. Our team of doctors which consists of Dr. Robert Marra, Dr. Thomas Johnson, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and Dr. Matthew Tshudy is dedicated to serving you with all of the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies. Many treatments and surgeries can be handled right in our offices. Please call us at (860) 741-3041 to make an appointment in one of our offices in Hartford County, conveniently located in Enfield and South Windsor, CT.