Reduce the Risk of Children’s Sports Injuries
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Fall sports are in full swing, and that means at Texas Foot Specialists we’re seeing more young athletes with foot and ankle issues in our Sugar Land (281-242-4448), Pasadena (281-991-0600) and Houston (713-664-6677) offices.
Some common sports injuries include:
· Achilles tendonitis
· Sever’s disease
· Stress fractures
These injuries are not an inevitable part of participating in sports, however. There are several factors which increase the chances of injury. Thankfully, most of them can be reduced or even eliminated with a few precautions. Below are some reasons for injury that we see frequently:
· Improper footwear—it’s essential that your child wear shoes that are specifically designed for the sport he or she is doing. Make sure they are professionally fitted and do not use “hand-me-down” sports shoes.
· Poor field/track conditions—a field with divots, holes or loose stones invite ankle sprains and falls. If you see that the surface your child is playing on is in disrepair or poor condition, speak up. You’ll be helping not only your child but all members of the team to avoid injury.
· Lack of proper conditioning—too often children and teens begin rigorous practices and game schedules after a period of inactivity. They may also skip warm-ups and stretches because they’re “boring.”
· No rest—these days it’s not unusual for young athletes to play three or even four sports a year. Developing bones, muscles and tendons need a break. Periods of rest or an “off-season” allow young feet, ankles, and legs a chance to take a break and recover from intense sports activities. Without rest, overuse injuries such as Sever’s disease and stress fractures are more likely.
· Bad attitude—popular expressions like “no pain, no gain” and “play through the pain” create a dangerous atmosphere on the sports field. If your child experiences pain or discomfort during or after sports, contact us so that our podiatrists, Dr. Bruce Miller or Dr. Gregory Mangum can track down the source of the pain and prescribe the correct treatment. Failure to do so can result in worse injuries that require a longer period of recovery and more invasive medical procedures.
Have questions about your child and potential sports injuries? Contact us for answers.