As children get out on the baseball and soccer fields this spring, they’re learning to enjoy exercise, and that has tremendous benefits for their health. But parents need to know what to do if kids injure their feet or ankles.

Pain in a child’s foot or ankle should never be ignored. Parents and coaches shouldn’t let kids “play through” the pain. Children’s bones, ligaments and tendons are still developing, and continuing to use an injured foot or ankle can result in problems that continue into adulthood.

Protect your child’s foot health by following these tips:

• Make sure your child has the right shoes for the sport and buy good-quality shoes with adequate support and cushioning.
• Examine shoes for signs of wear and replace when necessary. Old shoes can become uneven on the bottom, causing the ankle to tilt.
• Encourage coaches to include stretching and warm-up exercises into practices and games.

If, despite taking these precautions, your young athlete does injure a foot or ankle, prompt medical care is important. What seems like a sprain isn’t always a sprain. For example, the child may have injured cartilage or broken one of the many small bones in the foot or ankle.

The sooner children receive treatment and begin rehabilitation, the sooner they can resume activities. Ignoring an injury can result in future complications. It’s best to contact our office for an appointment soon after the injury to head off any problems.