Pediatric Sports Injury Treatment and Signs in Arizona

Athletic children are always at risk of foot and ankle injuries. Running, jumping, and fast and sudden movements can easily injure them. So, children and parents better know the signs of foot pediatric sports injuries and the right foot treatment. Keep reading to learn how to prevent and, should the day come, treat different types of sports injuries in children.

Signs and Symptoms of Children’s Foot Sports Injuries

It can be hard to know if your child has a foot or ankle injury in Gilbert. Sometimes, kids want to look tough, so they don’t talk about their pain. However, as a parent, you can look for these common signs to get your child treated before the injury gets worse:

• Suddenly limping or having trouble walking. Limping could be a sign of a foot or ankle problem.
• Swollen or bruised feet or ankles are likely indications of foot pediatric sports injuries.
• Foot pain during activities, especially if the pain is not as much when resting.
• Stiffness and struggles when moving feet or ankle. Stiffness means the likelihood of joint or muscle injuries.
• The feet are looking abnormal. Abnormality could indicate foot pediatric sports injuries like fractures or serious sprains.

Common Pediatric Sports Injuries in Feet

Kids’ feet are still developing, so they are more prone to certain foot pediatric sports injuries. These injuries increase the need for pediatric injury care in Arizona. Here are some of the most common ones:

Ankle Sprains

They happen when the ligaments around your ankle stretch or tear. It typically happens if there’s a sudden twist or turn. These children’s foot sports injuries are common in soccer or basketball. Sprains cause immediate pain and swelling and make it difficult to walk.

Stress Fractures

They are tiny cracks in your bones. The main cause is repetitive impacts, such as running or jumping. Athletic kids who do lots of running, like track or basketball, are at risk. Stress fractures cause pain that worsens during activity and often comes with swelling around the affected area.

Plantar Fasciitis

These children’s foot sports injuries happen when the tissue along the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed. This injury is common in sports that involve a lot of running. Plantar Fasciitis causes pain, often in the heel, and can feel worse when getting up in the morning.

Sever’s Disease

These foot pediatric sports injuries in Scottsdale happen when your heel’s growth plate becomes irritated due to stress or overuse. This condition often affects young athletes when they are going through growth spurts. The child will feel pain in the heel, especially after running or jumping.

Turf Toe

It happens when the big toe bends back too far and damages the ligaments. This pediatric and adolescent sports injury happens when the child pushes off quickly, like in football or soccer. Turf toe causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the big toe.

What is the Most Common Pediatric Sports Injury?

Among the conditions we mentioned, ankle sprains are the most common foot pediatric sports injury in Phoenix. They make up 30% of all sports injuries in kids. Ankle sprains happen often in sports that require quick changes in direction, like basketball, soccer, and track. These foot pediatric sports injuries can range from mild to severe, but they all need our proper treatment to heal and prevent future problems.

Pediatric Sports Injury Treatments

Once an injury happens, the right treatment can result in a speedy recovery. So, let’s see the common treatments to heal pediatric foot and ankle injuries in Mesa:

Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)

You can use this method to treat many sports injuries, including sprains and stress fractures. It’s really easy. Just rest to help your foot heal while using ice packs and apply them to the area to reduce swelling and pain. You can also use compression wraps. Also, elevate your foot to keep swelling down.

Physical Therapy

After an injury, physical therapy helps kids get their strength and flexibility back. An expert therapist will help your child with injured-area-targeting exercises. These exercises improve balance, coordination, and mobility.

Immobilization

If your child has fractures or severe sprains, they can use a cast or boot to keep their feet or ankles still while they heal. Immobilizing the area allows the bones and ligaments to repair without further stress.

Anti-inflammatory Medications

Non-prescription medications, like ibuprofen, can help your child reduce swelling and relieve pain. They can take these medications alongside other treatments to provide relief. However, parents must consult the pediatrician first.

Surgery

Surgery is rarely needed, but it can be an option for severe injuries. If your child’s ligaments are torn or they badly fractured a bone, surgery may be necessary to fix the issue. Surgery is usually the last resort, followed by physical therapy to help the child regain strength and mobility.

Tips for Preventing Sports Foot Injuries in Kids and Teens

While foot injuries can happen suddenly in sports, there are precautions to reduce the risk. Below are some prevention tips for foot and ankle pediatric sports injuries in Chandler:

• Warming up properly before any activities can loosen muscles and joints, and reduce the injury risk.
• Wearing the right shoes designed for the specific sport can provide better support and reduce injury risk. As a parent, you should ensure your child’s shoes fit well and offer adequate cushioning and stability.
• Doing strengthening foot and ankle exercises can help build stability. Don’t forget that it is strong muscles that protect against sprains and other injuries.
• Overtraining and overusing are common causes of injuries. Make sure your child takes rest days and doesn’t push their body too hard.
• Staying hydrated can help muscles work more efficiently and prevent injury-leading cramps.

Which High School Sports Have the Most Injuries?

In high school sports, football has the highest rate of foot and ankle injuries. 31% of all football injuries happen to the lower body, with ankle sprains being the most common one. This high rate is because this sport involves intense running, sudden stops, and quick changes in direction. Other sports, like soccer and basketball, also see a high number of foot injuries, but football leads the list.

Pediatric Foot Sports Injury Treatments in Arizona

If your child has suffered a foot or ankle injury, you need to bring them to our centers to get the right treatment. At Foot and Ankle Specialty Centers in Gilbert, Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa & Phoenix, AZ, we specialize in treating foot pediatric sports injuries. We offer personalized care, the latest techniques, and the best treatments to help your child recover quickly and safely. Call us today at 480-812-3668 to schedule an appointment and ensure the best care for their foot injury.

Conclusion

Foot injuries in young athletes are common but treatable. If it is a sprain, stress fracture, or other foot pediatric sports injuries, all you need is to know the signs and seek our treatments. With the right care and preventive steps, you can protect your child from future injuries and keep them active.

FAQs

What percentage of sports injuries are preventable?

Around 50% of sports injuries are preventable with the right preparation, training, and equipment.

Are youth sports injuries on the rise?

Yes, more kids are playing sports, leading to a rise in sports injuries among young athletes.

What does a pediatric sports medicine doctor do?

A pediatric sports medicine doctor diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent sports-related injuries in children and teens.

What youth sport has the highest injury rate?

Football has the highest injury rate, especially for foot and ankle injuries.