• Use the correct shoe for each type of sport. Basketball shoes will protect the feet and ankles in the side to side motions of that sport, while running shoes cushion and stabilize the foot from repeated pounding on the track.

• Appropriate stretching and warm up for all sports activities should be done to help prevent injury.

• If your child is overweight, help him or her to shed some pounds. Extra weight puts additional stress on the feet.

• Limit wearing cleated shoes to the time actually spent on the field. Cleated shoes do not provide adequate support and may cause increased pressure on the soles of the feet.

Remember, pain is NEVER normal in a child’s foot or ankle. Some kids may insist on playing their sport even when they’re in pain. Parents should not allow this to happen. Continuing to play with an injury can result in serious injuries that can follow your child into adulthood.

Best rule of thumb: If your child has any pain in their foot that lasts longer than a few days, or that is severe enough to limit the child’s walking or playing a sport, he or she should be evaluated in our office.