Items filtered by date: June 2022
Keep Your Kid’s Feet Safe and Happy this Summer with These 3 Tips
The sun is finally out, and the excellent summer weather is here. Children all over are thrilled to be outdoors and play their favorite activities. It can be a lot of fun, but the increased activity can come with extra risks. Don’t worry; we’ll go over some quick and easy tips to ensure your child’s summer is safe and injury-free.
1. Encourage a variety of activities.
Summer foot injuries can happen at any age, but in the early years, there is an increased risk of foot and ankle injuries. The chances of injury increase if the child concentrates too heavily on a single sport. It is because the injuries are more likely if repetitive overuse of the same movements and muscles occurs. This type of overuse can cause inflammation of the growth plates, which do not finish closing until a child is 13 to 17 years of age. When stressed, these growth plates can be more susceptible to injury.
2. Warm-up.
Your child should always warm up before participating in any sports or strenuous activity. You can keep it simple; light jogging or simple stretching exercises are all that’s necessary for children. It helps to loosen the muscles, which can help prevent injuries. Also, learning to stretch at an early age will help set good patterns for your child in the future.
3. Choose well-fitting footwear.
In general, the most important thing for good foot health is the condition and fit of a shoe. Even the most expensive shoe won’t help if it doesn’t fit right. You should ensure the shoe adequately supports your child’s feet by having them try it on and walk about the store. Make sure to check your child’s shoes often as their feet can grow quickly. Finally, choose the shoe made for the particular sport or activity your child is engaged in.
Our dedicated doctors provide state-of-the-art care to our patients: Dr. W. Aaron Broyles, Dr. Robert L. Van Brederode, and Dr. Thomas Verla. Their staff serves patients in Madison, Mitchell, and Watauga County. Contact us today to make an appointment with Alta Ridge Foot Specialists at one of our three offices at 105 Chestnut Street, Mars Hill, 440 Alta Pass Highway, Spruce Pine, or 2211 NC Hwy 105, Boone, NC. We look forward to hearing from you!
