Knowing the most common injuries in young athletes gives parents and athletes the knowledge to take precautions to help prevent these injuries. It’s important to recognize the unique issues kids face because their bodies are still growing and coordination is still developing, whereas adult athletes are more established and less prone to injury. If your child is one of the 60 million youth involved in sports,1 you are likely concerned with safety.
At Quinby Orthopedics, we regularly see young athletes who have sustained an injury or have chronic pain from sports. We have treatment plans readily available for when your child is sidelined from the game. Let’s take a closer look at the most common injuries in young athletes and what you can do to help your child or teen stay healthy.
Most Common Injuries in Young Athletes
- Knee injury
- Ligament tear
- Sprains and strains
- Shoulder injury
- Spinal injury
- Concussion
- Broken bone
- Swollen muscles
- Shin bone pain
- Tendon injury
Image by Keith Johnston from Pixabay
Common Causes of Sports Injuries in Young Athletes
Several common causes for injuries are the result of bodies that are still developing and growing but are involved in sports. These issues are harder to prevent, though proper safety protocols in each sport should help lessen the risk of injury. Other causes include external factors that could be adjusted. Here are some common causes of sports injuries in young athletes.
- Hand-eye coordination still developing
- Slow reaction times as body develops
- Muscle control still developing
- Improper technique
- Not enough warm-up
- Muscle overuse, repetitive use
- Training year-round with no breaks
- Improper or lacking sports gear
Prevention of Injuries in Young Athletes
There are some important steps parents can take to protect their young athletes from injury. Examining the gear for a good fit is the first step. Here are some other ideas:
- Add protective gear including mouth guards and helmets
- Plenty of stretching and warm-ups
- Weight and flexibility training
- Muscle use rotation to prevent overuse of one muscle group – change up sports frequently and take breaks during the year
- Hydration
- Proper sleep
- Good nutrition
“Athletic trainers can be your best friend in preventing injuries in your young athlete,” said Quinby Orthopedics’ Medical Director, Dr. J. Scott Quinby. “Prevention is so important and can head off problems before they occur.”
Photo by Yogendra Singh on Unsplash
Treatment of Injuries in Young Athletes
Even with all of the best preventions in place, injuries may still occur when a child is playing sports. When that happens, it’s important to receive the best care possible so your child can heal faster and have fewer chronic health concerns. Here are some common treatments for sports injuries:
- Compression braces
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- At-home exercises
- Over-the-counter medication
- Pain relief techniques
- RICE – rest, ice, compression, elevation
- Joint immobilization
- Heel pads
“When a sports injury happens, put ice on it and bring your young athlete to our facility right away,” said Dr. Quinby. “We can get you in quickly in an emergency and we have the imaging equipment, treatment options and expertise to treat your child so he or she can start to feel better right away.”
Get an appointment with our orthopedic specialist today!
If your child is suffering chronic pain, or is showing reluctance to play the sport due to pain, or has sustained an injury, call us at Quinby Orthopedics today @ 469-929-0615 or send us a message here to schedule an examination. Dr. Quinby has treated more than four thousand teens and adolescents and thousands of young children. He is very experienced in treating these common injuries in young athletes and ready to treat your child or teen with expert care.
Visit Quinby Orthopedics at Rockwall at our new convenient location:
6435 S. FM 549, Suite 100
Heath, TX 75032
This post is for informational use only. It is not intended to diagnose any specific case or condition. Always consult a doctor directly.
1 https://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/40/6/278