Stretching can help to prevent injuries.

By Timothy M. Mooney, DPM

It may be winter now, but spring sports already are in full practice mode in many schools. It's important no matter the season that athletes, and their parents, monitor any foot or ankle pain they may experience.

"Playing with pain often is viewed as a badge of honor among athletes, but they must be aware that the persistent pain they dismiss as normal exercise-related stress could be something far more serious," said Timothy M. Mooney, DPM, podiatrist.

When to see a podiatrist
Dr. Mooney pointed out that athletes of all ages visit his office with foot pain due to overuse injuries from repetitive loading of the foot and ankle during running and aerobics. "When athletes overdo their workouts, it may be normal to experience some temporary discomfort," Dr. Mooney said. "If that pain continues longer than a few days with continued redness, warmth or swelling, the athlete should see a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon for proper diagnosis and advice on treatment options."

Athletes who ignore persistent foot pain and inflammation and continue to train can risk potential complications that could sideline them for months. Among those possible injuries are stress fractures, muscle strains, tendonitis and subtle fractures after inversion ankle sprains.

"Stress fractures sometimes aren't debilitating, and some athletes might continue their normal training despite the injury," Dr. Mooney said. "But continual rigorous activity can worsen the problem. An examination and diagnosis by a foot specialist can determine whether the pain is from overuse or subtle trauma, requiring only a few days of rest, or something that may require surgical intervention."

Growth-plate injuries
Heel pain in children often is caused by injuries to the growth plate and secondary growth centers in which tendons pull at the top and bottom of the growth plate of the heel. Boys and girls ages eight to 14 are susceptible to this problem, and its major symptom is pain on either side of the heel.

"Growth-plate trauma is common in soccer and other sports that involve a lot of running," Dr. Mooney said. "Parents should make sure that their children stretch before playing and apply ice to the back of the heel after the game or practice. In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs and shoe inserts or lifts are recommended, but the potential for recurrent injury exists until the growth plate closes."

Timothy M. Mooney, DPM

Causes of pain
Foot and ankle surgeons provide many forms of treatment to keep children pain free and participating in sports activities. When treating athletes of any age, they evaluate several factors that could cause foot pain. They include:

• Running or playing surfaces: Athletes who train on asphalt or cement are more prone to stress injuries.
• Shoes: Footwear should be appropriate for the sport and match the biomechanics of the individual's foot. Shoe technology has advanced to allow for variances in foot characteristics that require stability cushioning.
• Training: Injuries often result when athletes fail to build up to a desired training goal.
• Behavioral factors: In children, overuse injuries sometimes occur from excessive parental pressure to achieve in sports.
• Nutrition: Stress fractures can occur in athletes with poor nutritional habits.
• Overtraining: Sleeping problems and resultant irritability and fatigue are common among some athletes who exercise aggressively.

Timothy M. Mooney, DPM, is a doctor of podiatric medicine and member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). His office is located at 15 McCabe Drive, Suite 203, in Reno. For more information on foot conditions affecting athletes and children, go to www.renofeet.com or contact Dr. Mooney at 284-3668.

Northern Nevada Medical Center 2375 E. Prater Way, Sparks, NV 89434 775-331-7000