 Newsletter
– Spring 2004
Parents! Don’t Ignore Child’s Heel
Pain
Preventing Children’s Heel Pain
Old
Ankle Injury Acting Up this Spring?
Broken
Toe ‘Myths’
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Parents!
Don’t Ignore Child’s Heel Pain
Now that children’s activities are moving outdoors for spring
and summer, many parents will find their young ones, especially
those involved in athletic pursuits, complaining of painful heels.
Children’s
heel pain is different from that experienced by adults. While
adults may experience pain immediately upon arising in the morning,
which goes away after walking and stretching, children’s
heel pain usually becomes worse with increased activity.
Heel
pain is a symptom, not a disease. In other words, heel pain is
a warning sign that a child has a condition that deserves attention.
Because there are a number of possible causes for a child’s
heel pain, it is important that parents have the child examined
in our office for a definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Heel
pain is so common in children because of the very nature of their
growing feet. In children, the heel bone is not fully developed
until age 14 or older. Until then, new bone is forming at the
growth plate, a weak area located at the back of the heel. As
children participate in active sports, especially if they are
wearing cleated shoes or running on hard surfaces, injury can
occur to this vulnerable area.
Common
Causes
The most common cause of children’s heel pain is inflammation
of the heel’s growth plate due to muscle strain and repetitive
stress. Heel pain can also be due to bursitis, tendonitis, or
fractures. When the child is brought to our office we will ask
about activities they are involved in, examine the foot and leg,
and may take x-rays.
Many
children today are participating in sports activities almost every
day of the week, with little time for their muscles, tendons,
and bones to rest and recover from the pounding they receive.
Parents are advised to watch their children carefully and not
allow them to continue playing when pain is present.
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Preventing
Children’s Heel Pain
The chances of a child developing heel pain can be reduced by
following these recommendations:
•
Overweight children are more prone to stress injuries of the
foot. Help your child to maintain an appropriate weight.
• Don’t allow your child to wear “hand me
down” or worn out shoes.
• Avoid, or limit, the child’s wearing of cleated
athletic shoes.
• Avoid activity that exceeds the child’s physical
abilities.
• Choose well-constructed, supportive shoes that are appropriate
for the child’s activity.
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Old
Ankle Injury Acting Up this Spring?
After a winter of relative inactivity, most people are anxious
to enjoy outdoor activities once good weather arrives. But many
will find that months of watching sports from the couch have left
the muscles, tendons and ligaments of their ankles in less-thanprime
condition for participating in active pursuits. Especially vulnerable
is anyone who has had an ankle sprain that may not have been fully
rehabilitated in the past.
A
sprain that happened years ago can leave residual weakness that
isn’t noticed in normal daily activity, but subjecting the
ankle to rigorous physical activity can further damage improperly
healed ligaments, and cause persistent pain and swelling. If you’re
embarking on a fitness or athletic program this spring, call our
office for an appointment to have that old ankle injury checked
out before becoming active again. Pain in the ankle area is never
normal…even when you’re trying to get back in shape!
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Broken
Toe ‘Myths’
Myth #1: “A doctor can’t
do anything for a broken toe.”
Although it isn’t true, unfortunately many people believe
this myth, and never get proper treatment for these injuries.
In fact, if a fractured toe or metatarsal bone is not treated
correctly, serious complications may develop. For example:
•
The bones may become deformed, thereby limiting the ability
to move the foot or causing difficulty in fitting shoes.
• If there is a fracture in a joint (the juncture where
two bones meet), arthritis may develop. Arthritis may also be
a result of angular deformities that develop when a displaced
fracture is severe or hasn’t been properly corrected.
• An untreated fracture can cause chronic pain and long-term
dysfunction.
• A fracture that does not heal can lead to the need for
surgery.
Myth
#2: “If you can walk on it, it isn’t broken.”
Many people believe this myth, and will continue to walk after
a bone in their foot is fractured…sometimes resulting in
even greater damage. Symptoms of a fracture include:
•
Pain at the time the fracture occurs and perhaps for a few hours
later, but often the pain goes away after several hours.
• Misshapen appearance of the toe.
• Bruising and swelling the next day. In addition to fractures
that are caused by trauma to the foot, some people (especially
those who participate in athletics or who suffer from osteoporosis)
may get a stress fracture in their foot. Although one can walk
on a foot that has a stress fracture, these tiny, hairline breaks
should not be ignored, because they will come back unless properly
treated. You may have a stress fracture if you notice:
• Pain with or after normal activity
• Pain that goes away when resting and then returns when
standing or during activity
• Pain at the site of the fracture when touched
• Swelling, but no bruising.
The
bottom line is, fractures of the foot require proper treatment.
Even if your fracture has been treated in an emergency room, follow-up
with our office is advised to avoid improper healing and possible
long-term consequences.
This information was developed by the American College of
Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
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