Children’s Sports Injuries Melbourne
Australian children and sports injuries
Australian children are very active in sport and as a result are prone to sports injuries of the foot or lower leg. Sports injuries are common nowadays in both boys and girls, especially with the recent increased participation of girls in contact sports like Australian rules football.
Children’s sports injuries can affect muscles, bones, joints or soft tissue structures and be caused by either an acute incident or chronic overuse. Many of the sports injuries common to adults will also be found in children, with poor foot mechanics often a significant causative factor.
Common children’s sports injuries
Some common children’s sports injuries that our children’s podiatrists encounter at our Melbourne clinic include:
FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES
LOWER LEG INJURIES
KNEE INJURIES
Causes of children’s lower leg sports injuries
There are many causes of children’s lower leg and foot sports injuries including:
- Acute injury
- Poor foot mechanics or flat feet
- Poor footwear
- Increase in training loads
- Low muscle tone
- Tight muscles
One cause of children’s lower leg and foot sports injuries that often gets overlooked is poor foot function. Flat feet or poor foot mechanics leads to poor lower leg alignment and stability, placing added strain on muscles, tendons and joints which can then lead to overuse and injury.
Children’s lower leg sports injuries diagnosis
Most children’s lower leg and foot sports injuries are easily diagnosed clinically by our Melbourne children’s podiatrists, who are experts in children’s foot problems. Referral for x-rays, ultrasound or MRI scans may be required if our podiatrists suspect a bone fracture or other more serious acute sports injury, especially if your child is unable to bear weight on the injured foot or leg.
Our children’s podiatrists can use computer gait analysis to help diagnose the cause of chronic children’s sports injuries that are often caused through poor foot biomechanics.
Podiatry treatment for children’s lower leg sports injuries
The children’s podiatrists at Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics are experts in children’s lower leg and foot sports injuries. Following correct diagnosis treatment usually involves a period of rest and healing followed by rehabilitation before the child can return to sport. Podiatry treatment of children’s sports injuries may include:
- CAM Walker (Moon Boot)
- Children’s orthotics
- Footwear advice
- Addressing postural issues
- Strengthening and stretching
Children’s orthotics work by supporting the arch of the foot and improving lower leg alignment. This helps improve a child’s alignment and stability thereby reducing strain on joints and lower leg muscles, which can improve performance and help prevent a sports injury returning.
Thorough diagnosis and treatment with one of our children’s podiatrists is essential if your child is suffering from a lower leg or foot sports injury.
Does your child suffer from a sports injury?
At our Melbourne foot clinic our children’s podiatrists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of children’s conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. This includes children’s lower leg and foot sports injuries.
So if your child is complaining of a lower leg or foot sports injury book an appointment with one of our friendly children’s podiatrists today!