Common Sports Injuries
Children tend to be more susceptible to a range of injuries to
their bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments because their
bodies are still developing and growing. Young athletes are also
more likely to suffer injuries to growth plates, which are areas
of cartilage where bone growth occurs in children.
Dr. Crum says injuries can include
minor bumps and bruises, bone fractures, and serious head or
neck trauma from sudden impacts. Regardless of the body part
affected, sports injuries can generally be classified in one of
two ways: acute or chronic.
Acute injuries, such as a
sprained ankle, strained back, or fractured hand, can occur
suddenly during activity. Signs include sudden, severe pain,
swelling, or visible dislocation or break of a bone. Chronic
injuries usually result from overusing one area of the body
while playing a sport or exercising over a long period.
Indications of a chronic injury include pain when performing an
activity, a dull ache when at rest, or swelling.
Some of the most common sports
injuries stem from the repetitive motion of many sports, such as
pitching a baseball or long-distance running. These conditions,
such as “runner’s knee,” can result in permanent structural
damage to the body if left untreated, Dr. Crum says.
Check Your Head
Recent studies have suggested a link between head trauma and
dementia in later life, particularly when the concussion happens
at a young age. A report by medical researchers in Boston
spurred a congressional hearing into head injuries in
professional football players after finding evidence of a
degenerative brain disease with symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s
disease in a college football player. Concussions can also
result in headaches, memory problems, and amnesia.
The threats are especially pronounced for teens, says Dr.
Heinze. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), it takes longer for high school athletes to
recover from a sports concussion than it does for college-age
athletes. High school athletes who have a concussion are three
times more likely to sustain a second concussion. The leading
causes of concussions among youth age 5 to 18 years old?
Bicycling, football, basketball, playground activities, and
soccer, the CDC says.
Signs of a concussion can
include confusion, amnesia, headaches, dizziness, or loss of
consciousness says Dr. Heinze.
“Any head trauma can cause a
concussion or a more severe brain injury, such as a contusion or
a hematoma (blood that forms between the skull and the brain),”
explains Dr. Heinze. “These injuries can cause numbness,
paralysis, or even death.”
“You should monitor your
injured child closely,” continues Dr. Heinze. “Get a prompt
evaluation by a healthcare professional, including
recommendations about when it’s okay to return to sports.”
Pre-Game Warm-up
Both doctors agree that the medical benefits of sports are many:
young athletes tend to have improved coordination, more
self-discipline, and better teamwork skills. Before they hit the
playing field, however, it’s a good idea for young athletes and
their parents to review the following safety guidelines, which
can go a long way toward curbing injuries:
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Make sure your child is in good enough shape to play a
sport. A common mistake is that young athletes believe the
sport they are playing will get them into shape. In reality,
they ought to be conditioning before they ever step foot on
the playing field.
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Your child should follow the rules of the sport they’re
playing, and know how to properly use and adjust related
equipment such as protective pads or helmets.
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Parents should consider speaking with their children’s
coaches to make sure they are qualified for the job, and
that they work with your child to develop a proper training
regimen.
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Always ensure that your children warm up before they play.
And if they’re tired or in pain, tell them to stop! |
“It’s important to remember
that sports are supposed to be about having fun,” Dr. Crum says.
“Parents and coaches can help in this regard a great deal by
fostering healthy competition instead of a must-win,
all-or-nothing attitude. Combined, these basic precautions will
go a long way toward keeping your child safe and fit for years
to come.”
Common Sports Injuries
• Sprains and strains.
A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament, while a strain is
a twist, pull or tear of a muscle or tendon. The most
vulnerable body parts for these injuries are the ankles,
knees, and wrists. Left untreated, these injuries can result
in permanent damage or loss of function.
• Knee injuries. The knee is a complex joint and the
most commonly injured on the human body. Mild injuries can
include pain or tenderness under or at the front or side of
the knee (runner’s knee), while more severe problems include a
tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of four key
ligaments supporting the knee.
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• Compartment syndrome. Many parts of the body have
enclosed areas made of a tough membrane called fascia. Swollen
muscles can fill the compartment, causing interference with
nerves and blood vessels.
• Shin splints. This condition is primarily seen in
runners and occurs along the tibia, or shin bone, the large
bone in the front lower leg. This condition can be caused by
incorrect stretching or warm-up exercises, overtraining,
running or jumping on hard surfaces, or from running in shoes
without enough support.
• Achilles tendon injuries. A stretch, tear, or
irritation to the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the
back of the heel, Achilles tendon injuries can be extremely
painful. Such injuries usually occur because of tendonitis, a
degenerative condition caused by aging or overuse.
• Fractures. Fractures are breaks in the bone from a
quick, one-time injury (acute fracture) or from repeated
stress to the bone over time (stress fracture).
• Dislocations. When joints between two bones become
separated, a dislocation has occurred. Sports such as football
and basketball, which have a lot of stretching and falling,
cause most dislocations.
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