Pittwater Life April 2017 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Mean feet: managing our
kids’ winter sport injuries
With the winter sports
season upon us, so too
comes the prevalence of
debilitating foot injuries. Avalon
podiatrist Mark Osborne says
popular children’s sports, with
huge participation numbers –
including soccer, netball, rugby
and Aussie Rules – often see
overuse foot injuries.
“Heel pain in children called
Severs disease is one of the most
common injuries,” says Mark, who
has practised for 14 years. “This
is where the growth plate in the
heel bone between the ages of
8 and 12 years is closing up and
gets inflamed.
“The muscles under the arch
pull on the bone, and the heavy
heel contact with boots and hard
surfaces irritates the growth
plate.”
Mark says treatment involves
strapping the feet and padding
the heels to take the strain off
the heel. He added that advice
on the correct choice of footwear,
plus using an orthotic
insert for shoes and boots to
give long-term support were
important.
“With children’s feet in mind,
support with cushioning and
flexibility is needed for growing
feet.”
Mark said in-growing toenails
he often sees in children have
been exacerbated by poor-fitting
shoes.
“They often start by incorrect
cutting (or picking and ripping)
of the nail and pressure of poorfitting
shoes causes the nail to
press into the skin. This results
in inflammation and the area
can become infected.”
The professional treatment
is to painlessly clear the nail
spicule from the edge. A minor
nail operation can be
performed if the ingrown
nail reoccurs.
He said plantar warts
most often seen in children
can be confused as corns.
“They require an accurate
diagnosis,” he said. “Warts are
a viral infection of the skin, and
build up callous within the wart
causing pain when walking.”
Treatment involves painlessly
removing the callous and
treating the viral tissue with an
acidic paste.
“I remember playing sports
as a child and still play soccer
locally and never like missing
games due to injury,” Mark said.
“Keeping kids active is most rewarding
– having three children
myself who all enjoy their sports,
I have extra practice looking
after their foot problems!”
More info phone 9918 3716.
How your gift of blood can
help the one in three in need
According to the Australian
Red Cross Blood Service,
only one in 30 people donate
blood – but one in three will
need it in their lifetime.
Blood donations are used
in the treatment of people
with major medical conditions
such as cancer, heart, blood
diseases, stomach or kidney
disease; people undergoing
surgery; people who have
been injured; and in pregnant
women and new mothers.
Many people are eligible to
donate blood. To give blood
you need to be 16-70 years
old, weigh more than 50kg
and be healthy and not suffering
from a cold, flu or any
illness on the day of donation,
or in the previous week.
Want to give it a shot? The
mobile blood donation centre
will be in Mona Vale on W ed
12, 1.30-6.30pm and Thurs
13, 8.30am-2pm. To make an
appointment call 13 14 95.
44 APRIL 2017
Celebrating 25 Years