Sports can be a fun way to keep kids active and physically fit, but they can also result in injuries caused by a lack of equipment or improper training. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states more than half of sports injuries that occur each year are sustained in youth ages 5 to 24 years as of 2010. It is important to understand how to recognize and prevent sports injuries in children.
Acute Injuries
Kids Health states an acute traumatic injury occurs from one single blow of force and can cause a fracture, sprain, bruise or laceration. This type of injury can happen during any type of sports injury but is especially common in competitive sports. Common types of acute injuries include broken bones, ligament strains, dislocation of fingers, back sprain and whiplash. Some types of acute injuries, such as head injuries, can be especially dangerous. An impact to the head can cause hematoma, a pooling of blood between tissue layers in the brain. A concussion can also happen after a blow to the head, which can cause brain damage if the problem is reoccurring.
Chronic Injuries
Chronic injuries develop over time, typically as a result of repetitive training and insufficient rest. Some types of chronic injuries include stress fractures from overloading or tendinitis, the inflammation of a tendon. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that overuse injuries are responsible for more than half of all sports injuries in students. Rather than experiencing soreness after a sporting event, these injuries get worse over time.
Diagnosis
To determine the cause of your child’s sports injury, her doctor may order an MRI or CT scan to check out the situation. This allows the doctor to see her bones and tissues and identify any fractures, tears or breaks. The doctor may ask her which activities or movements make her experience the most pain in order to determine what type of injury she has.
Treatment
Your child’s doctor may suggest pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication. Depending on her type of injury, your child may need to wear a splint, cast or special kind of tape to allow her body to heal. She may need special shoes if she has a foot injury. If her injury is serious, it may require surgery to fix. Your child may learn she cannot play sports for a while until his body is fully healed. Once she starts playing, she may need to wear a brace or guard in order to prevent further injury to the same area.
Prevention
Have your child get a physical exam before playing sports to be sure her body is ready to handle the activity. Make sure any safety equipment involved with her sport is in good working condition, and keep her hydrated during activity. She should also warm up and cool down before and after participating in sports in order to give her muscles and ligaments time to adjust. Be sure she has time to practice her activity to learn the safest way to play. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that a child be at least 6 years old before playing team sports. A young child may be less coordinated, have a slow reaction and be unable to assess physical risks involved with a sport.
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