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Podiatrist - Clark, NJ
1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066

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By Clark Podiatry Center
April 05, 2016

Although young and resilient, children and teens are not immune to sports-related injuries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 2.6 million teens and children are treated each year in U.S. emergency rooms for injuries suffered while participating in sports activities.

Without taking the proper precautions, your child may be one of those harmed in one of these sports-related injuries:

  • Overuse injuries occur when muscles, bones, ligaments and tendons are subjected to repeated stress without healing time. Overuse or repetitive motion injuries can include stress fractures, tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the plantar fascia, which often results from jumping or running on inflexible surfaces.
  • Strains and sprains are very common sports-related injuries. A strain is an injured muscle or tendon, while an ankle sprain occurs at the joint where the ligament attaches.
  • When youth are still growing, they may experience growth plate injuries. The growth plate is a tissue area that appears at the end of longer bones such as the forearm, lower and upper leg, foot and hand and finger bones. Symptoms of growth plate injuries are similar to broken bones. A growth plate injury must be evaluated and treated by a foot doctor or orthopedic surgeon.
  • Heat-related illnesses like dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be very serious, especially for the young.

Use Common Sense to Prevent Sports-Related Injuries

Many injuries can be prevented with careful preparation as well as parental involvement:

  • Meet all coaches and check that they are qualified in the sport, know how to use all equipment and have both CPR and first aid training.
  • Monitor your child's workouts and games to safeguard that they are not being stretched too far.
  • Always outfit your child in properly-fitting footwear that is not worn out and is appropriate to each activity. Invest in good protective gear.
  • Make sure there is plenty of water available before, during and after sports sessions to stay hydrated.
  • Your child should gradually build up endurance in the sport. Check for adequate warm up and cool down periods with safe, gentle stretching.

If your child or teen complains of any discomfort or pain, don't ignore it. Continued athletic activity can increase stress on an injury and make it worse. Contact Clark Podiatry Center for an appointment right away to have the pain evaluated and treated.

Many injuries can be treated at home with the R.I.C.E. method: Rest, Icing, use Compression and Elevate the leg. However, if your child has severe pain or if the foot or ankle is obviously broken, significantly swollen or appears dislocated, please go to an emergency room or come to our office right away.

Learn more in our blog Choose Children's Athletic Shoes Carefully.

We Treat All Types of Youth Foot and Ankle Injuries

Dr. Brandon Macy, board certified podiatrist has extensive experience with teen and children foot and ankle injuries. You can reach us for an appointment in our Clark office at 732-382-3470 or use the contact information at the website. Please call us soon if you suspect a foot or ankle injury.

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1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066

Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470