Life is busy for both parents and kids. After school activities, sports practice, and play dates can be the perfect way to keep your children safe and entertained. No matter how active they are, you’ll never stop them from running and playing.
Kids can suffer from foot injuries if they aren’t careful. Protect them by getting a good pair of sporty shoes for them. This footwear will help safeguard their feet, ankles, and shins from injury.
How to avoid injury in the first place
With young children, the best way to avoid tears and sprains is to prevent them from happening in the first place. This means early detection: if you notice your child having trouble walking or running, you should take action as soon as possible. If you’re ever concerned about anything regarding your child’s foot health, schedule an appointment with one of our podiatrists immediately.
Here are several tips to help your children enjoy their pain-free feet and ankles
Get them a quick check-up – Get your healthy, active child checked by a doctor before starting off a new exercise or athletic season. A simple physical exam can identify diseases and conditions that are not immediately apparent and prevent serious injuries in the future.
Ensure they have properly fitting shoes – Shoes are an essential part of any child’s life, from school to sports and even playtime. But with all the sports they play and roughhousing they do, these children need more than just their average pair of shoes. To keep them protect from the ground below them, visit a sporting goods store where you’ll find comfortable, sturdy shoes that are made just for kids in mind.
Replace old shoes – Children grow quickly and can wear out shoes in a matter of months. The fact is, children’s feet are constantly growing and changing. As a child’s foot size changes, his or her shoes will wear out. New shoes may become necessary to prevent blistering, discomfort, and unnecessary risk of injury.
Check the treads of your childs shoes – A quick look at your child’s shoes can tell you a lot about their feet. Improper fit and poor design can cause a number of issues, but one of the most important to watch out for is uneven wear. In addition to the toes, heels and balls, children’s feet should also have similar wear along the entire sole. If there is excessive wear on one part of the shoe, it may be due to improper foot function or structural issues.
Encourage your children to play a variety of sport – Swimming and biking are great alternatives to running and jumping, because they don’t put as much pressure on your feet or ankles. These options will help your kids add some variety to their workouts and make sure that they don’t get bored so easily! Moreover, swimming is excellent for muscle development and improving cardiovascular health. On the other hand, biking helps build leg strength, endurance, and balance — a crucial component not only for biking but also for many sports like tennis and volleyball.
Teach good foot hygiene – Clean, dry feet are the best defence against athletes foot, a fungal infection that causes itching and cracking of the skin between your toes. The fungus tends to grow when your feet sweat and stay wet for long periods of time — such as after a workout or a day at the beach.
Our team of specialists is ready and waiting to help you treat your child’s foot injuries. We understand how frustrating it can be when a child suffers an injury, especially if he or she is an athlete — but we’re here to get them back out on the field as quickly as possible.
*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.