Nope, it’s not the day to celebrate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sorry. J October 19th is, however, World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day! It’s a day to raise awareness for bone and joint health in children and teens. In honor of this day, we at Crofton Podiatry wanted to give you some tips about pediatric bone and joint health. Here are some tips for healthy growth and signs of issues to look for:
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Get moving! Exercise can help to protect and strengthen your joints and bones. It’s important to stretch and warm up, so that you don’t risk more
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Change up your shoes. Teenagers who wear high heels are more likely to experience joint pain. Make sure to rotate with more supportive shoes that do not put much pressure on the feet.
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Eat foods for healthy bone and joint growth. These include: omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, such as nuts, fatty fish, and veggies; calcium, from nutrient enriched cereal, dark leafy greens, yogurts, cheese, and milk alternatives; vitamin D, nutrient enriched cereal, egg yolks, and cheese. Getting some sun also helps you get your vitamin D intake.
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Don’t ignore a pain or limping – Limping or pain can indicate an issue in the bones or joints, especially because those parts of the body are still developing.
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Be careful of injury or stress fractures during growth spurts – When adolescents have growth spurts or go through puberty, there is more likelihood for injury since bones and joints are not fully formed.
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Red joints are usually painful or swollen. Your children should see a doctor with any red joints. Of course, ankle and foot joints in particular can be assessed by our podiatrist.
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Be aware of symptoms of Juvenile Arthritis – Stiff joints, muscle pain, and growing pains are all signs that your child or teenager may have juvenile arthritis.
If you have questions or concerns regarding bone and joint issues, make an appointment with us by calling (410) 721-4505 at our Crofton, MD office. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll, stays abreast of the latest podiatric diagnostic and treatment technology in order to best serve you and your family. He and his team will be happy to help you understand your child’s bone and joint developmental processes.