Each year, over 200,000 children under the age of 15 visit the emergency room as a result of a basketball-related injury. Foot and ankle injuries are the most common. They affect more than 38 percent of boys and 36 percent of girls. With high school basketball season getting ready to start, it is important for you and your child to know the types of injuries that are most common and how to prevent them.
Ankle Sprains
Playing basketball requires constant movement, including running, jumping, and frequent stops and starts. Because of this, ankle sprains are very common. They often occur when a player lands badly after a jump or due to an abrupt change in direction.
If your child suffers an ankle sprain, make sure that he or she stops playing basketball until the sprain heals completely. Depending on the severity of the sprain, it may be necessary to see a foot and ankle specialist. Exercises to strengthen and stabilize the ankle muscles may be necessary in order to prevent re-injury.
Overuse Injuries
Excessive training and overuse can lead to many types of foot and ankle injuries, including:
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
- Achilles tendonitis
- Stress fractures
- Blisters
- Tendonitis
- Sesamoiditis
These injuries may be caused due to poor conditioning, inadequate stretching or warm-up, or improper footwear, among others. In order to prevent recurring injuries, basketball players should let injuries heal completely before returning to play, work on strengthening the foot and ankle region, wear proper shoes with adequate ankle support, and use a support brace if recommended by your podiatrist.
Get proper treatment for your an ankle sprain. Call 210-479-3233 for an appointment with an experienced podiatrist in San Antonio.
