While keeping your kids active is vital for their development and heart health, the intensity of modern youth sports has led to a significant rise in foot and ankle injuries. When you look at the statistics, not all sports are created equal. Some activities place a unique, high-velocity strain on the growing feet of children.
Here is a look at the sports most likely to land your young athlete in a podiatrist’s office, according to us at My Chicago Foot Expert.
Soccer
Soccer is consistently ranked as one of the highest-risk sports for pediatric foot injuries. Statistics from the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that lower extremity injuries account for nearly 60% of all soccer-related trauma.
That’s no surprise to us. The combination of high-speed sprinting, sudden lateral pivots, and the physical impact of stepping on another player’s foot creates a perfect storm.
Beyond the acute ankle sprains, we see a high rate of Sever’s Disease (heel growth plate inflammation) in soccer players because the thin, stiff soles of soccer cleats provide almost no shock absorption on hard turf.
Football
Football is a game of explosive power, and that power starts at the feet. Studies on high school athletes show that foot and ankle injuries are second only to knee injuries in terms of frequency.
One specific injury that is prevalent in football is Turf Toe, which is a sprain of the ligaments around the big toe joint. This happens when the toe is forcefully bent backward while pushing off during a sprint.
Because many youth games are now played on artificial turf, which is less forgiving than grass, the grip of the cleats can cause the foot to stick while the body keeps moving, leading to severe ligament tears.
MMA and Combat Sports
Mixed Martial Arts have seen a surge in youth participation. However, because these sports are often practiced barefoot, the foot is completely unprotected.
Real-world data on combat sports indicate that blunt force injuries are common. Kids are at risk for stress fractures in the metatarsals from repetitive kicking against heavy bags or opponents.
Without the support of a shoe, the small bones in the midfoot take the full brunt of every strike. Plus, all the constant pivoting on the balls of the feet can lead to painful skin infections or friction-related damage to the sesamoid bones under the big toe.
Your Young Athlete’s Feet
While you can’t wrap your child in bubble wrap, you can mitigate these risks.
For sports like soccer and football, adding a custom orthotic inside the cleat can provide the arch support and shock absorption that the factory insoles lack.
And you can always give us a visit if you suspect your child’s feet are at risk of injury.
For any questions about foot health and wellness, reach out to the tenured staff at My Chicago Foot Expert by calling (773) 561-8100 or by clicking here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.