Youth sporting events can mean fun for the whole family, but every year, sports-related injuries sideline thousands of young players. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Injury Center, more than 2.6 million children 0-19 years old are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries. Injuries in young athletes are either sudden and acute or the result of overuse.
In 2013, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that:
- 881,700 football-related injuries occurred in kids 5-18 years old.
- 434,000 children were treated for soccer injuries.
- 99,884 were treated for cheerleading-related injuries.
- More than 94,000 were treated for volleyball related injuries.
Acute Injuries
Acute injuries are those that occur suddenly such as during a fall or collision with another player. These types of injuries include:
- Contusions (bruises).
- Sprains (a ligament is partially or completely torn.)
- Strains (a muscle or tendon is partially or completely torn.)
- Fractures (broken bones.)
Growth Plate Injuries
Because children are still growing they are more prone to injuries involving muscles, tendons, and growth plates. Growth plates are centers of growth within the bones and do not ossify (harden) until a child stops growing. Because they are not yet solid, growth plates are vulnerable to injury. Growth plate injuries can result in disturbances to growth or lead to deformity of the bone as it grows. They are most common in contact sports like football or basketball, sports such as baseball that involve repetitive throwing, or in high impact sports like gymnastics.
Catastrophic Injuries
All sports pose some risk of injury, but certain activities have a higher incidence of severe head and neck injury with damage to the brain and spinal cord. These higher-risk sports include ice hockey, wrestling, football, diving, soccer, pole vaulting, cheerleading, and gymnastics. It is important for coaches, parents, and athletes to be aware of the guidelines and regulations developed for each sport to prevent head and neck injury.
Concussions
Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that are caused by a blow to the head or body that results in the brain moving rapidly back and forth inside the skull. Some sports like football, ice hockey, and soccer, have a higher rate of concussions because head contact is common, but they can occur in any type of athletic event. In 2010, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that young athletes with concussions be evaluated and cleared by a doctor before returning to sports.
The signs and symptoms of a concussion may not be obvious at first. A child may look fine even though he or she is acting or feeling differently. It may be days or even months after a concussion before a person is able to resume normal activities.
The CDC places concussion symptoms into four categories:
Thinking/Remembering
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Feeling slowed down
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty remembering new information
Physical
- Headache
- Fuzzy or blurry vision
- Nausea or vomiting (early on)
- Sensitivity to noise or light
- Balance problems
- Feeling tired, having no energy
Emotional/Mood
- Irritability
- Sadness
- More emotional
- Nervousness or anxiety
Sleep
- Sleeping more than usual
- Sleeping less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep
Coaches or parents should call for help right away if a child exhibits any of these symptoms after a blow to the head:
- Headache that gets worse and does not go away.
- Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.
- Vomiting or nausea.
- Slurred speech.
- Drowsy-appearing or cannot wake up.
- One pupil is larger than the other.
- Convulsions or seizures.
- Cannot recognize familiar people or places.
- Increasing confusion, restlessness or agitation.
- Unusual behavior.
- Loss of consciousness.
Overuse Injuries
Some injuries happen over time when a motion or activity is repeated often without giving the body a chance to heal before the next game or practice. “Overuse injuries are the most common types of sports-related injuries,” says American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) spokesperson Michael S. George, MD, who specializes in sports medicine. “Often times the initial aches and pains felt during the progression of an injury are overlooked by young athletes. It’s essential to teach them about the importance of informing a coach or parent about pain because an undiagnosed injury can become more severe in the long run.”
Like acute injuries, overuse injuries may also involve muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and growth plates. Examples of overuse injuries include:
- Elbow injuries from pitching in baseball.
- Shoulder injuries from swimming.
- Wrist and elbow injuries from gymnastics and cheerleading.
- Stress fractures, often in the shinbones or feet, that occur when growing bones are weakened by a repeated activity.
- Back pain and spine abnormalities in gymnasts and football players
Ways to Prevent Injury
- Gear up. When children are active in sports and recreation, make sure they use the right protective gear for their activity such as helmets, mouth guards, wrist guards, cleats and knee or elbow pads.
- Use the right stuff. Be sure that sports protective equipment is in good condition, fits well and is worn correctly at all times—for example, avoid missing or broken buckles or compressed or worn padding. Poorly fitting equipment may be uncomfortable and may not offer the best protection.
- Get an action plan in place.Be sure your child’s sports program or school has an action plan that includes information on how to teach athletes ways to lower their chances of getting a concussion and other injuries. Get more concussion safety tips.
- Pay attention to temperature. Allow time for child athletes to gradually adjust to hot or humid environments to prevent heat-related injuries or illness. Parents and coaches should pay close attention to make sure that players are hydrated and appropriately dressed.
- Be a good role model. Communicate positive safety messages and serve as a model of safe behavior, including wearing a helmet and following the rules. Do not pressure your child to overtrain.
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Injury Center
If you need a plan to help prevent injury, or need treatment please see your doctor. Dr. Robyn Hakanson can review your symptoms, diagnose, and prescribe a plan to get you back on the field. To schedule an appointment, call the office at (540) 772-3530 or click the button to schedule an appointment online.