Is your 10 year old is dying for a scooter or skateboard so he can “ride the rails” and “catch some air” like his friends? Before you make your purchase you may want to consider the possible injury risks.
A new study published by Clinical Pediatrics states that “kick” scooters, much like the one your 10 year old needs to “catch some air,” are responsible for the 40% increase in injuries over the last two decades. Of course a helmet is the most important way to protect your rider, always remember the helmet!
Common Scooter Injuries You Must Watch For:
- Fractures and Sprains – get your child to a podiatrist as soon as possible, in the meantime use the RICE method (RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation)
- Cuts and Abrasions – always make sure your family First Aid Kit is well stocked
- Contusions – similar to a large bruise, but a contusion swells due to inflammation, it is important to get to a podiatrist to rule out serious injury
Among these common injuries, also be on the lookout for Plantar Fasciitis as children undergoing growth spurts are especially susceptible to heel pain starting at age 8 until around age 13 for girls and age 15 for boys. This pain is usually caused by the growth plate of the heel bone, a strip of soft tissue where new bone is forming to accommodate adolescents’ lengthening feet. Overuse, repeated pounding, or constantly pushing down on the scooter and coming down hard on your feet can cause heel pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia.
Watch out for Achilles tendon issues as well. The Achilles tendon is the band of tissue that connect calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone, Achilles tendonitis is caused when the tendon becomes inflamed.
Although it may be easy for you to not let your child “ride the rails” it is important for their development to be physically active and try new things. The safest way to protect your child is always wearing a helmet!
Safety Tips When Using a Scooter or Skateboard:
- Wear wrist protectors and knee and elbow pads
- Wear proper, supportive shoes; never open toed
- Children under the age of 8 should not use scooters
- Parental supervision is needed at all times
- Avoid crowded areas, downhill and slippery or uneven surfaces
- Never ride at night
So on December 26th (or any day of the year), if your child catches a little too much air contact us immediately. We have locations throughout Southern California.
Dr. Briskin is a Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He also serves as an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine.
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