Soccer Injuries in Youth Sports


Are you concerned about your children staying safe while playing sports? If so, we at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC can provide crucial diagnostics and post-injury care. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a study on soccer injuries in children and adolescents. They found that, although soccer is a good way for children to get exercise, there are some particular risks for the lower limbs that parents and athletes should take precautions against.


Soccer is the second-most common sport to result in severe injuries among girls and the fourth most common among boys. Ankle strains and sprains were among the most common reported injury types, and most of them were acute injuries resulting from contact with other players. However, overuse injuries are a possibility and are more common among girls. Young players are also at risk of developing apophysitis, which means inflammation of the growth plates between bones. Stress fractures are uncommon but account for over a fourth of emergencies.


The development of indoor fields allows soccer to be played year-round, increasing the risk of overuse. Athletes need to build their core strength and vary their work-out routines, and sport specialization is not recommended for young players. Athletes also need to wear shoes that are well-fitted and sturdy, which likely means they will have to be replaced frequently. They should always be well-rested and hydrated before any game or practice. Monitoring the health of the joints of the lower limbs is especially important for soccer players, and if a player is sore for several days in a row, it’s best to get an examination early, when problems can be treated more conservatively.


Dr. Frank Killian and Dr. Sameep Chandrani run Mercer-Ocean Podiatry. For the location at 2103 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Hamilton Township, New Jersey, 08619, call 609-585-3200. For the location at 202 Rte 37 W, Suite 4, Toms River, New Jersey, 08755, call 732-557-4266. Visit New Jersey Foot.




 

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