DON'T COAX KIDS TO PLAY THROUGH PAIN

PODIATRIST, DR. THOMAS MARQUARDT STATES, "AS A NEW SOCCOR SEASON KICKS IN THE DECORAH AREA, I URGE PARENTS AND COACHES TO THINK TWICE ABOUT COAXING YOUNG, INJURY-PRONE SOCCOR PLAYERS TO 'PLAY THROUGH' ANKLE AND FOOT PAIN.  SKELETALLY IMMATURE KIDS, STARTING AND STOPPING AND MOVING SIDE TO SIDE ON CLEATS THAT ARE MORE LIKE MOCCASINS WITH SPIKES - THAT'S A RECIPE FOR FOOT AND ANKLE SPRAINS AND WORSE. UNBEKNOWNST TO PLAYERS, PARENTS, AND COACHES, A YOUTH'S LINGERING HEEL PAIN COULD TURN OUT TO BE A STRESS FRACTURE.  TREATMENT USUALLY INVOLVES REST, SOMETIMES CASTING, OR EVEN SURGERY IF THE FRACTURE HEALS POORLY.  INFLAMMATION AROUND A GROWTH PLATE CAN LEAD TO PAIN IN YOUTH PLAYERS.  THE GROWTH PLATES ARE STILL OPEN AND BONES ARE STILL GROWING AND MATURING - UNTIL THEY'RE ABOUT 13 TO 16."

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE REQUIRES HONEST, COMPETENT FOOT CARE OR CUSTOM ORTHOTICS FROM FOOT SPECIALISTS WHO LOVE THEIR PROFESSION AND ARE DEDICATED TO THEIR PATIENTS, PLEASE CONTACT ACADEMY FOOT AND ORTHOTIC CLINICS AT 416-465-8737.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY DR. JOHN A. HARDY, OWNER OF ACADEMY FOOT AND ORTHOTIC CLINICS.