Primary Care Lunch and Learn: Foot & Ankle Pain in the Young Athlete

Objectives (Educational Content) :

1. Recognize the characteristics of a hypermobile versus hypomobile foot type and how it may affect foot mechanics and pain in the young athlete.

2. List 2 braces that have been shown to reduce heel pain associated with Server's Disease in barefoot athletes.

3. List 2 early treatment interventions for young athletes with a hypomobile, high arch foot type with heel or foot pain.

Target Audience:

General pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, psychologists, and nurses.

Identified Gap:

Clinicians caring for young athletes often lack sufficient knowledge and competence in differentiating hypermobile from hypomobile foot types and understanding how these mechanics contribute to foot and heel pain, as well as limited awareness of evidence-based bracing options for Sever’s Disease and early, targeted interventions for athletes with hypomobile, high-arched feet. This gap leads to inconsistent or suboptimal treatment strategies and delays in effective management, highlighting the need for focused education to improve assessment and intervention selection.

Estimated Time to Complete the Educational Activity:

1 hour(s)

Expiration Date for CE/CME Credit:

04-08-2027

Method of Participation in the Learning Process:

The learner will view the presentation, successfully complete a post-test and complete an activity evaluation.

Evaluation Methods:

All learners must successfully complete a post-test, as well as an activity evaluation, to claim CE/CME credit.

Disclosure:

The following presenter has indicated that no financial relationship with an ineligible company: Amy Krahe, PT, MPT The following planning committee member has indicated that a financial relationship with an ineligible company: All relationships have been mitigated. The remaining planning committee/CME committee members have indicated that they have no financial relationships with any ineligible companies.

Accreditation Statement:

Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron is accredited by the Ohio State Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CHMCA designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM.  Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Bibliography:

1. Sweeney, EA; Little, CC; Wilson, JC; Potter, MN; Seehusen, CN; Howell, DR Comparison of Braces for Treatment of Sever's Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis) in Barefoot Athletes. J of Athletic Training. 2023;58(5):437-444

2. Wynn M, Brady C, Cola K, Rice-Denning J. Effectiveness of Nonoperative Treatment of the Symptomatic Accessory Navicular in Pediatric Patients. Iowa Orthop J. 2019;39(1):45-49.

3. Liu C, Zhang H, Li J, Li S, Li G, Jiang X. The effects of foot orthoses on radiological parameters and pain in children with flexible flat feet: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pediatr. 2024;12:1388248. Published 2024 Aug 2. doi:10.3389/fped.2024.1388248