(Pratt, KS - September 11, 2008) If your children are playing sports this fall, pay attention to six tips that could protect them from serious ankle injuries.
Every fall, South Central Kansas Bone and Joint Center foot and ankle surgeon Jon Morgan DPM, AACFAS 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, he says.
Morgan's top recommendation is for parents to get ankle injuries treated right away.
"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," says Morgan. "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. Morgan says parents should also follow these additional tips from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons' Web site, FootPhysicians.com:
- 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. Alert coaching officials to any irregularities.
- 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.
Dr. Morgan may be reached at the South Central Kansas Bone and Joint Center in Pratt. To schedule an appointment please call (620) 672-1002. Dr. Morgan treats patients in Pratt, Coldwater, Kingman, Medicine Lodge and Alva, OK. For more information on treating ankle sprains, visit the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons' patient information Web site, FootPhysicians.com.
Click
here to see more news
|
