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6 Tips to Protect Kids in Fall Sports – Back-to-school sports season linked to ankle injuries
If your children are playing sports this fall, pay attention to six tips that could protect them from serious ankle injuries.
Every fall, Cedar Grove NJ foot and ankle surgeon Matthew F. Wachtler, DPM, FACFAS notices an increase in ankle injuries among young athletes. Football, soccer and basketball are the sports most likely to lead to sprains, broken bones and other problems.
What seems like a sprain is not always a sprain; in addition to cartilage injuries, your son or daughter might have injured other bones in the foot without knowing it. Have a qualified doctor examine the injury. The sooner rehabilitation starts, the sooner we can prevent long-term problems like instability or arthritis, and the sooner your child can get back into competition.
Dr. Wachtler’s top recommendation is for parents is to get ankle injuries treated right away. Other tips include:
- Have old sprains checked by a doctor before the season starts. A medical check-up can reveal whether your child’s previously injured ankle might be vulnerable to sprains, and could possibly benefit from wearing a supportive ankle brace during competition.
- Buy the right shoe for the sport. Different sports require different shoe gear. Players shouldn’t mix baseball cleats with football shoes.
- Children should start the season with new shoes. Old shoes can wear down like a car tire and become uneven on the bottom, causing the ankle to tilt because the foot can’t lie flat.
- Check playing fields for dips, divots and holes. Most sports-related ankle sprains are caused by jumping and running on uneven surfaces. That’s why some surgeons recommend parents walk the field, especially when children compete in non-professional settings like public parks, for spots that could catch a player’s foot and throw them to the ground.
- Encourage stretching and warm-up exercises. Calf stretches and light jogging before competition helps warm up ligaments and blood vessels, reducing the risk for ankle injuries.
For more information on treating ankle sprains, contact Dr. Wachtler at 973-857-1184 or visit www.CedarGroveFoot.com
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Why do I feel like I could sprain my ankle at any time? This is usually caused by a high arch foot type, chronic ankle instability or both. A high arch foot type often causes pressure to the outside of one’s foot and makes it easier to roll the ankle.