Foot and ankle injuries in the adolescent runner.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate the increase in overuse injuries in the adolescent athlete, specifically sports-related injuries to the foot and ankle of the adolescent runner. Factors affecting these injuries include anatomic considerations, gender, rate of development, growth, training errors, shoe wear, and running surface.

RECENT FINDINGS: Most injuries in adolescent runners are overuse injuries rather than sudden traumatic events. Adolescent athletes are as prone as adults to poor form, poor habits, and poor training patterns. In addition, anatomic variants in the hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot may predispose an athlete to specific injury.

SUMMARY: Adolescent running injuries are common and becoming more frequent as trainers and athletes place increasing demands on the growing body. There is no evidence that this increased demand produces long-term adverse effects; however, a significant amount of time can be lost to injuries unless training patterns are constructed to allow for repair of the adolescent athlete.