This week’s Youth Sports topic is about fractures of the foot or ankle.
A fracture defined as a partial or complete break in a bone. An injury such as rolling an ankle or other impact to the foot or ankle, can cause fracture at the injury site. Stress fractures can also occur with repetitive activity or overuse.
The symptoms of a fracture are similar to those of an ankle sprain and a fracture and an ankle sprain CAN occur at the same time (see last week’s entry, Youth Sports and Foot Health-Ankle Sprains). When it comes to children and activity, frequently they will keep playing through pain and may not remember a specific injury. It is important to pay attention to frequent complains (i.e. my arch hurts, or my ankle is sore) and watch for changes in the way your child walks or runs. If you also notice swelling that lasts for days, bruising or redness at the location of their pain, or that they are unable to walk or stand on the injured foot… it may be time to see a foot and ankle specialist.
The extent of the injury will be evaluated by exam and x-ray. If your child does have a fracture, their foot and ankle specialist can initiate a treatment plan to help them recover. Luckily, children typically heal faster than adults and frequently a fracture will heal with conservative care and regular monitoring by a foot and ankle specialist. Some severe fractures that are displaced or have multiple breaks may require surgical repair to heal properly.
As with most injuries, early intervention is important! Use the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) to assist with pain and symptoms until you can be seen by a foot and ankle specialist.
Next week, we’ll take a look at Calcaneal Apophysitis, commonly known as Sever’s Disease.
Dr. Marc House is a foot and ankle surgeon at Kinetic Foot and Ankle Clinic treats pediatric and adolescent patients from all over the Denver Metro Area including Parker, Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Greenwood Village, and Stapleton. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Marc House at our centrally located office in Aurora, CO.
Author Kinetic Foot and Ankle Clinic Our office staff works with Dr. House to curate content that is relevant, helpful, and interesting to provide you with insights, updates, and facts about foot and ankle health. Dr. Marc House is a foot and ankle surgeon in Aurora, CO serving patients from all over the Denver area.