Injuries are common among children just like any other individual, but despite our kid's ability to heal, this may be a stressful time. While injuries are a part of sports, the key lies in how we respond to and understand them. In this article, we will discuss common youth sports injuries and outline methods for treating and managing these issues so we can help kids to play sports. There isn't one sport that youth should avoid to prevent injuries. Sport activities are safe and we encourage participation for all ages, especially kids. Your young super star in little league should continue to engage in recreation and organized sports; let the information in this article and team at REP Physio help guide you and your child to successful management of their injury.
Common types of sports injuries to occur in young athletes
Sports-related injuries include muscle strains. Muscles are the contractile tissues responsible for moving our body parts and can be injured when subjected to heavy loads or rapid movements. For instance, if your child runs lots, they may experience a pulled muscle commonly in their hamstring (back of their leg). Symptoms typically include pain and swelling, bruising, tenderness to the area, along with discomfort when moving the limb or contracting the muscle. Muscle strains can vary in severity, but they generally heal quite well.
Muscles connect to bones via contractile tissues known as tendons. These tendons often do not withstand loads or forces as effectively as muscles do. The tendon can be a common source of pain with complications like tendinopathies; with the older term being tendinitis. Pain is usually felt during activities at the site where the tendon attaches, often near a joint or bony area of the body. Modifying sports activities alongside everyday activities to a level that doesn't create pain and gradually progress back up as tolerated would be advised.
Ankle sprains and anterior cruciate ligament injuries
One of the most common sports injuries are ankle sprains. Ligaments are the connective tissues that link bones and provide stability and support to joints. While ACL injuries are less common, both types of injuries are more likely to occur in individuals that participate in sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball but can happen in other sports.
Ankle sprains are particularly common in children, and often on the outside of the ankle. Often regarded as minor injuries, their frequent occurrence necessitates careful attention to ensure that children are ready to return to sports after experiencing one. With sports that involve running, twisting, jumping, landing, or pivoting pose a risk for injury. Symptoms may include the ankle giving way, often twisting inward, a sensation of instability, pain, or, in some cases, no pain at all.
An anterior cruciate ligament is another injury among sports that you may recognize; often called an ACL tear. This is located in the knee and serves to prevent the tibia (shin bone) from sliding too far forward relative to the femur (thigh bone). Other prevalent ligaments in the knee include the MCL, PCL, and LCL, each serving its own specific function. These injuries can happen when the knee experiences significant force or stress during activities like jumping, landing, twisting, pivoting, or direct impact. Typical symptoms may include the knee buckling, a sensation of instability, swelling, pain, and in some cases, the absence of pain.
Common Overuse injuries: elbow injuries, shin splints and stress fractures
Does their sports participation require lots of running? If that’s the case, they might be experiencing shin splints. This overuse injury is generally the result of excessive running and walking, leading to discomfort in the front of the lower leg or shin bone. Along with tendinopathies, it is important to address this condition through modified and gradual activity as tolerated.
Is there repetitive motion involving throwing or swinging, such as with tennis or a baseball pitcher? If so, you might be dealing with tendinopathies affecting the elbow muscles. This condition can occur on either the outer or inside of the elbow and is similar to what was previously mentioned. You may also have irritated or sprained ligaments in the elbow, which can occur in pitchers that throw high velocities. If so, assessment of your elbow can help understand what may be provoking pain with activity.
Caused by repetitive stress to a bone, stress fractures can occur; but are not frequently occurring in children. Examples include kids who play sports with significant amounts of jumping and impact. These occur with repetitive actions that load the structures in the area to a significant degree resulting in a small fracture to the bone. Risk of injury for injuries such as these are low, but being aware of its occurrence is important. These can be confirmed with x-ray imaging and clinical exams.
Pediatric injuries happen, how do we treat them?
Pain management is an area parents can help significantly with. An injury causes pain, and we have to manage that pain so it is not persisting or debilitating. Much of this comes with gentle movement/exercise that feels relieving. If you find relief from ice or heat, one of these could also be used. For certain injuries, compression can help and some injuries may benefit from a brace. Compression and bracing are not always needed, and when used should not be relied on.
Activity modification & exercise is one of the most important factors when injuries occur and may be recommended by your healthcare professional. Injury usually prevents individuals from moving, but we want to encourage appropriate movement that does not cause an increase in pain or discomfort when appropriate. This is where physiotherapists have the expertise to guide when to include it, what movements and how much to perform. Physiotherapists and other experts can help aid with diagnosing, educating and treating these complications and could be an avenue to consider. Your child may want to continue pushing through, but those that play multiple sports should especially emphasize modifying their activities.
Long-term impact of common sports injuries in children
Return to sport should be gradually done and is best dictated by the athlete's readiness to return, alongside considering findings such as reduced pain, strength and increased functional ability. Outcomes are positive, both for extensive and common injuries. With any injury, sports medicine professionals such as physical therapists can help aid in the recovery and ensure long lasting participation in sports. Kids heal very well, and much of the power to manage injuries is in the individual themselves; healthcare professionals are here to help guide and provide tools to facilitate the recovery process.
