Dr. Brent D. Stephenson with Mountain Medical Physician Specialists explains why young athletes are particularly susceptible, and what parents can do to help.
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Student athletes are particularly vulnerable to sport injuries when they go back to school, because many teenagers “take the summer off” from their training schedules and enter the fall sport seasons such as football, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball and lacrosse out of shape and unprepared for the rigorous preseason training camps. As kids push to make the teams, they might ignore pain and discomfort that might indicate developing injuries such as stress fractures, tendonitis, muscles tears.
Young athletes are at risk for different injuries than adults; student athletes are not just “small adults.” They can suffer severe injuries to growing bones that can result in crooked joints and bones if not treated properly. The growth plates are more vulnerable to injury than ligaments and tendons, which are more commonly injured in adults. Throwing athletes such as little league pitchers can develop chronic injuries to the elbow and shoulder that can cause chronic problems through their adult lives. Sports such as weightlifting, gymnastics and football can result in a repetitive injury of the lower spine that can result in a slip between levels of the spine and result in chronic back pain. This might require corrective surgery later in life.
Parent or coaches should not encourage young athletes to play or push through the pain. Injuries in these children and teenagers require prompt attention. Any effort to ignore the pain and continue training/playing could result in permanent damage and premature diseases such as chronic tendonitis and degenerative arthritis that can cause chronic pain and disability through adult life and which may necessitate early joint replacement.
Preventing/Reducing Sports Related Injuries:
• Get pre-season physical exam.
This can reveal warning signs of danger such as musculoskeletal deformities (scoliosis) or irregular heartbeats.
• Warm up & cool down properly.
This reduces the risk of muscle, tendon and ligament injury.
• Stay hydrated.
8 oz water every 20 minutes.
• Wear proper protective equipment.
This includes helmets, pads, braces, etc.
• Avoid playing when in pain.
This could worsen a minor injury that could easily or quickly heal with rest.
• Have an emergency plan.
It’s important to identify who the coach or trainer should contact in the event of injury or other emergency.
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