Foot and ankle problems in the young athlete

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

• Increasing numbers of children and adolescents participate in organized sports at younger ages and higher intensities.
• Foot and ankle issues are the second most common musculoskeletal problems in children under 10, after acute injuries.
• This prevalence highlights the need for specialized care in pediatric sports medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of foot and ankle problems in young athletes.
• To outline guidelines for both conservative and surgical management of these conditions.
• To consolidate existing literature with clinical experience from a leading pediatric sports medicine center.

Main Methods:

• Extensive literature review on pediatric foot and ankle sports injuries.
• Inclusion of clinical experience from Boston Children's Hospital's sports medicine clinic.
• Focus on a wide range of specific conditions, from trauma to overuse injuries.

Main Results:

• Identified numerous specific foot and ankle conditions prevalent in young athletes, including pes planus, fractures, sprains, and overuse syndromes.
• Detailed conservative and surgical management guidelines for these conditions.
• Synthesized research findings with practical clinical insights.

Conclusions:

• Young athletes are susceptible to a variety of foot and ankle injuries.
• Effective management requires understanding specific conditions and employing appropriate treatment strategies.
• This review serves as a valuable resource for clinicians managing pediatric sports-related foot and ankle pathology.