How to Protect Your Child’s Feet from Sports Injuries

How to Protect Your Child's Feet from Sports InjuriesChildhood and teen years tend to be one of the most physically active times in a person’s life. From an early age, most kids develop an eagerness to run, race, throw, kick, and chase down soccer balls with reckless abandon. Many of them continue to play as they get older, joining school or travel teams and dedicating more time and energy to practice and training.

Sports participation offers many physical and psychological benefits to children, from improving general health and fitness to instilling teamwork, perseverance, dedication, and resilience. However, it also exposes them to the risk of injury. Ankle sprains and broken bones are probably the ones you might think of, but we’ve also seen an increase in “overuse” injuries such as heel pain and stress fractures, too.

Parents can help children protect their feet against injury by using the following strategies:

  • Get them appropriate shoes. A child who engages regularly in specific sports should be wearing shoes (or cleats, or skates) designed specifically for that sport. The sizing and fit have to be right, too, and because kids’ feet can grow fast you may need to size up later in the season. We strongly discourage the use of hand-me-downs: you might save a few bucks up front, but used shoes that have already “conformed” to someone else’s feet can cause pain and injury when worn by others.
  • Encourage them to try a variety of sports or activities. Your child may be particularly passionate about one specific sport, for example soccer. However, performing the same motions over and over can weaken certain physical structures while exposing others to overuse. Instead of playing the same sport year round, encourage them to take breaks, try other sports, and engage in some low-impact recreational activities.
  • At the same time, don’t overload them. Many kids try to play on two or even three teams at the same time during the same season. These may be in different sports, or the same sport. However, this dramatically increases the risk of overuse injury.
  • Encourage them not to ignore what their bodies are telling them. No child wants to leave the field or let their teammates down. However, pain is a sign that something is wrong, and children who try to push through it can wind up with severe injuries. Ideally your child will take the proper precautions and remove themselves from the game when they hurt. However, you may have to rely on your own eyes or your child’s coach to recognize the signs of injury and put your child’s health first.

You can’t always prevent an injury, but by talking with your children and making smart choices about how and how often they play, you give them the best possible chance to enjoy a lifetime of healthy, active sports participation. To schedule an appointment with any of the experts at the Dallas Podiatry Works team, give us a call today at 972.853.7100.

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

Google User

Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.

Elizabeth G.

Read More Five Star Reviews
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT

Dallas Office: 12221 Merit Drive, Suite 280, Dallas, TX 75251

Plano Office: 5068 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 155, Plano, TX 75093

Join the 100,000 happy feet that have found relief at Dallas Podiatry Works! Our Dallas podiatrist and Plano podiatrist provides 5-star-rated foot care and ankle care. Our advanced foot care includes children's foot care, sports-related foot injuries, bunion treatment, bunion removal surgery, toenail fungus treatment, ingrown toenail treatment, hammertoe treatment, claw toe treatment, neuroma treatment, heel pain relief, limb salvage, wound care, arthritis treatment, safe pedicure, medicures, corn removals, callus removals, wart removals and more.
Come experience Dallas Podiatry Works of Dallas, TX and Plano, TX! You will see for yourself that our podiatrists, foot doctors and foot specialists provide 5-star-rated foot care in Dallas TX, Plano TX, Frisco TX, McKinney TX, Richardson TX, Garland TX, Rockwall TX, Allen TX, Arlington TX and Fort Worth TX. Call 972.853.7100 today.
© 2024 Dallas Podiatry Works | Dallas Podiatrist for Advanced Foot & Ankle Care
Designed by JimmyMarketing.com