We don’t typically see the start of a new school year as a time that will be particularly hard on the ankles and feet of our children, but it can be if you don’t put any forethought into caring for their feet. In today’s blog, we share some tips for keeping your child’s feet and ankles healthy as they begin another school year.
Protecting Your Feet This School Year
You don’t need to take drastic steps to protect your child’s feet ahead of the new school year, but if you follow a couple key pieces of advice, we’re confident you’ll be helping to keep their feet strong this year.
Footwear – It’s very important that you take a closer look at the shoes that your child will be wearing at school, during gym class or for extra curricular athletics. A child’s feet can grow rather quickly, so the shoes they wore last year may not fit this time around. Ask them about their shoes and check their fit. If you need to buy new shoes, we recommend buying them in person at a store so that you can ensure they are comfortable and fit your child’s feet properly. Shoe sizes can vary a bit between manufacturers, so ordering shoes online can be a risky game. For more shoe buying tips ahead of the new school year, check out this blog we penned on the topic.
Sports – The new school year also means that many fall sports will be getting under way, and you’ll want to do what you can to help protect your child’s feet from injury during athletics. As we mentioned in this blog, it’s crucial that your child partakes in some exercise or conditioning program prior to the start of the season so that they are less likely to overstress their feet and ankles once practices begin. You also want to take some time to break in new cleats or athletic shoes before the season begins, as new or stiff shoes can lead to blisters or sores while your feet get used to their fit. Don’t wait until the season begins to start preparing your athlete for the upcoming sports season.
Look For Signs Of Injury – Finally, make sure that you keep an eye out for anything that suggests your child may be dealing with a new injury or pain from overuse. Many foot and ankle injuries can linger if you don’t proactively treat the problem, and kids aren’t always quick to let you know that they hurt their foot or ankle at school. If they mention that their feet are hurting after school or you notice that they are limping or have new blisters on their feet, talk to them and find a way to proactively care for their feet so that discomfort doesn’t persist. If you need help treating any of these new foot issues, simply reach out to Dr. Silverman!