Ankle Pain in Children and Teenagers

By Dr. John Goodner, D.P.M.

The ankle joint is a complex structure to prevent any long-term problems. Ligament injuries are very common in sports. Ligaments connect the bones together and consisting of bones, ligaments, tendons, growth plates and cartilage that allow the ankle to move smoothly. Many structures can be injured from twisting the foot or ankle in sports or from blunt trauma.

Flat feet are a primary source of ankle pain because of the stress that the foot puts on the inside of the ankle and the lower leg. Good supportive shoes and occasionally orthotics will help to give more support and stability. Many cases must be evaluated for potential long-term problems that may necessitate physical therapy or a surgical procedure.

Growth plates are present on the inside and outside of the ankle. Injuries to the growth plate or fractures to the bone can occur during sports or general activities. Immediate care is necessary to prevent growth disturbances. Bones and growth plates out of position need to be placed back into the proper position when the foot twists excessively ligaments can tear. These problems usually necessitate immobilization in a boot or cast to allow the ligaments to heal primarily. Cartilage injuries are rare but when pain in an ankle or foot persists MRIs are necessary to evaluate the bone, bone marrow and cartilage surfaces further. CT scans may also be necessary. Arthroscopic surgery may be necessary in some cases. Infections are rare but they can become very problematic. Any injury that causes redness, swelling, heat and a generalized fever may need to be addressed immediately. In most cases, antibiotics alone will take care of an infection, but it is necessary to be seen immediately to prevent the need for more aggressive treatment. Inflammatory conditions that affect children must also need to be ruled out. Soft tissue and bone tumors are extremely rare, but if there are bumps or areas of swelling that are noticed they need to be evaluated quickly.

The more quickly a child or teenager is evaluated for a foot, ankle or leg problem the better the prognosis.

▸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. You can reach the office at (954) 430-9901.

www.SouthFloridaSportsMedicine.com.

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