Q: What are the top three injuries you see in kids’ feet and ankles?
A:
First, I’d say ankle sprains. We see a lot of kids come in with sports-related injuries from activities like soccer, football, basketball, and volleyball. Typically, these are inversion injuries, where the ankle rolls inward. This can injure the ligaments or cartilage in the joint, and in some cases, it can also lead to fractures or tendon injuries.
Second, we commonly see stress fractures. These are overuse injuries that often occur in the long bones of the foot, particularly the metatarsals. Repetitive activity can cause small cracks in the bone, leading to pain and discomfort.
Third, one of the most common conditions in kids—especially between the ages of 8 and 13—is Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis. This involves inflammation at the growth plate in the heel. While fractures can occur in this area, it’s more common to see irritation and inflammation, particularly in very active kids involved in sports and other physical activities.
