Ruth Ann Cooper, D.P.M

Athletic seasons ramp up in the fall for young athletes and with this comes an increase in foot and ankle injuries.  Football, soccer, field hockey and cheerleading are sports more likely to lead to sprains, broken bones and other problems.  Keep your child in the game this fall with these six tips:

1.       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 bone or cartilage without knowing it.  Schedule an appointment with my office for proper treatment if you believe your child has a foot or ankle injury.  Failure to treat injuries appropriately and timely can lead to long-term instability or arthritis later in life.

2.       Have old sprains checked prior to the beginning of the season.  A foot and ankle surgeon can determine 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.

3.       Get the right foot gear for your child’s chosen sport.  Each sport requires a different sport specific type of shoe.  Football and baseball cleats are not interchangeable.

4.       Begin each season with new, appropriately-fitted shoes.  Old shoes wear down over time and become uneven on the bottom.  When a shoe can’t lay flat, the ankle will tilt, increasing the risk of sprains and strains.

5.       Walk the field before any practice or games.  Check for dips, divots or holes as most sports related injuries are caused by running or jumping on uneven surfaces.  Foot and ankle surgeons recommend checking the field for spots that could trip a player’s foot, especially for nonprofessional settings like parks.  If you notice any irregularities, alert coaching officials.

6.       Always encourage athletes to warm up before practice or a game.  Calf stretches and light jogging help warm up ligaments, muscles, tendons and blood vessels reducing the risk of foot and ankle injuries.

As this sports season progresses, contact my office to have your child’s feet, ankles and athletic shoes evaluated if you have any concerns about their foot health.