Ankle Injuries in Youth Athletes

By Dr. John Goodner

Parents should encourage their children to participate in sports, not only for the cardiovascular benefits, but also to help develop attributes like self-discipline, teamwork and an appreciation for the importance of good health habits to carry throughout their lifetime. In children younger than ten, multi-sport participation is advised with a training emphasis on proper technique and coordination. It is commonly advised that sport specialization be delayed until the late teens; research shows that children who specialize too early are more likely to experience foot and ankle injuries.

In addition to proper fitting and supporting footwear, a dynamic warm-up specific to the sport being played is recommended for all ages in order to prevent injury. As the opposite of adults, children are more susceptible to growth plate injuries than injuries to tendons and ligaments. These growth plates typically do not finish closing until 15-18 in boys and 13-16 in girls. Many children suffer from torsional imbalances such as in-toe or out-toe, however, the majority of these children outgrow these conditions without medical treatment; see a foot and ankle specialist if your child is consistently tripping during activity.

Ankle Sprains - Typically seen more often in older youth athletes, younger athletes tend to also have associated growth plate injuries with ankle sprains. Immediate treatment is critical to healing and prevention of long-term ankle instability. See a foot and ankle specialist, immediately, for better long-term prognosis. Physical therapy to restore balance and strength is often necessary after offloading the injured ankle.

Fractures - If a child is unable to put weight on the injured foot after injury, it is recommended to see a foot and ankle specialist for an X-ray to rule out a fracture. If not severe, rest and immobilization with a cast may likely be the treatment. More complicated injuries may require surgical correction for better long-term prognosis. Stress fractures are often seen in children whose total participation in sports activity is greater than 16 hours per week; it is recommended that a child’s total hours of organized sports per week should be less than or equal to the age in years.

Heel Pain - Also referred to as calcaneal apophysitis, it is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel usually caused by excessive usage, tight Achilles tendon, flat feet, poor fitting cleats or shoes, or blunt trauma. Commonly seen in sprinting sports, like soccer and baseball, because of the cleat patterns and also in basketball because of the force from coming down after a rebound. Usual treatment includes rest, immobilization, ice, heel lifts, orthotics, stretching and physical therapy.

Shin Splints – This is a very common overuse injury. The presence of a tight Achilles tendon can cause overuse and inflammation of the weaker dorsiflexion muscles in the front of the leg. In children with flatfeet and a tight Achilles, overuse of a muscle in the back inside of the leg can become inflamed as well. Treatment includes rest, ice, compression, physical therapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, and orthotics.

▸Dr. John Goodner is a Board Certified Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgeon with the Foot,

Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida and specializes in sports medicine foot and ankle injuries, foot and ankle arthroscopy, lower extremity trauma, and lower extremity deformities in infants, children, teens and adults. The South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine is located at 17842 NW 2nd St Pembroke Pines, FL 33029-2806 Tel: (954) 430-9901 The practice website is www.SouthFloridaSportsMedicine.com. Instagram @SouthFloridaSportsMedicine and Twitter @SFLSportsMed

OFFERING SAME DAY & EARLY MORNING APPOINTMENTS & CONSULTATIONS DURING COVID-19

MEDICARE | BLUE CROSS | BRIGHT | UHC | CIGNA | AETNA | AV MED AMBETTER | TRICARE | WORKERS COMP | ACCIDENTS/LOPS SIMPLY | SUNSHINE | OSCAR | MEMORIAL PHO

NEW PATIENT $300 | FOLLOW UP (WITHOUT X-RAY) $100 SURGERY CONSULT $350 | X-RAYS $50 PER AREA | PRP $600 STEM CELLS $800 | SHOCKWAVE (5 SESSIONS) $600 | INJECTIONS $100 ORTHOTICS $400 | CASTS $200 | LACERATION REPAIR $400