As parents, we want to do everything in our power to keep our kids healthy, but we know that’s not completely in our control. Even if you were to wrap your kids in Bubble Wrap, they’d still find a way to get injured, and that’s ok. Kids will be kids and physical activity should be encouraged, and with activity comes the risk of injury. So while we can’t protect our child’s feet from all sources of injury, there are some things you can do to reduce their risk of foot pain or injuries. In today’s blog, we share five tips for parents who want to keep their child’s feet injury-free to the best of their ability.
Keeping Your Kid’s Feet Healthy
Again, even if you follow every one of these steps, your child will likely hurt their foot or ankle at some point – that’s just life. But if you follow these tips you’ll significantly reduce their risk of suffering an injury, or you’l be able to help them recover faster in the event their feet start to hurt. Here’s what to do:
1. Make Sure Their Shoes Fit – You’re probably pretty aware that your child’s feet grow at a very fast rate during their youth, so regularly check in with them to see how their shoes are fitting. Shoes that are too tight can contribute to a host of foot issues, so make sure your child is always in a pair that fits properly. Ask them how their shoes are fitting and make adjustments if they say that their shoes are starting to feel a little tight.
2. Teach Them How To Cut Their Toenails – If you’re still cutting your child’s toenails, be sure you’re cutting them properly. Avoid cutting too low into the nail bed and make sure not to round the corners of the nail, as this can increase the risk of ingrown toenails. If you’re hoping to pass the task of cutting toenails off to your child, be sure to teach them the proper way to cut their nails so that they don’t accidentally end up increasing their risk of a toenail problem.
3. Keep Them Active – As we mentioned above, your child is more likely to suffer an injury if they are physically active, but that doesn’t mean you should just let them curl up on the couch every day after school. Physical activity has so many other benefits for their health, and it’s important for muscle and bone development that they remain active through their youth. Don’t let them live a sedentary life out of fear of injury, because that could lead to a bunch of related health issues later in life.
4. Load Management – Although we want your kid to be active, be careful not to overburden them with activities. You may want them to play baseball, basketball and soccer during the summer, but too much activity without enough time off in between activities can greatly increase your child’s risk of a foot injury. If your child seems worn down or is starting to lose interest in certain activities, it may be because they are burned out, and a physical injury could be on the horizon. Don’t overwhelm your child with activity either.
5. Teach Them To Speak Up – Finally, make sure that your child knows to come to you in the event that they are dealing with new or worsening foot pain. The vast majority of foot issues are best treated with early intervention, so the longer you put off care, the harder it may be for your child to overcome the injury. Let them know that you want to know about any new aches or pains they are dealing with so that you can get them the care they deserve.
If your child needs help overcoming a new foot or ankle injury, we’re here to help. Pick up the phone and give Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot a call today at (952) 224-8500.
