Participation in sports is very common among school-aged children in the United States, with school athletic departments offering a wide variety. With about 30 million kids and teenagers participating in sports each year, nearly three million injuries will occur, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and SAFE Kids Campaign.
Sprains and Strains
According to Children's Hospital Boston, sprains and strains are the most common sports injury among teens and kids. Sprains and strains have very similar symptoms but involve different body parts. A sprain is the overstretching or tearing of the ligaments that connect your bones; a strain is the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, the fiber-like cords that connect your muscles to your bones. Symptoms may include pains, swelling, bruising, limited range of motion or muscle spasms. A sprain most commonly occurs in your ankle. Strains most commonly occur in your lower back or in your hamstrings, the muscles located in the back of your thighs.
Concussions
Concussions are most common in kids and teens who participate in contact sports including soccer, football and basketball. A concussion occurs when you experience a direct blow to the head. This causes the brain to move around inside of the head, which can lead to a temporary loss in normal brain function. A concussion occurs every 21 seconds in the United States, the TeensHealth website reports; there are many indicators that you might have sustained one. It is a common misconception that you always pass out during a concussion; in fact, you can sustain a concussion without losing consciousness. Symptoms may include feeling dazed, lightheaded or dizzy. You may experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, sensitivity to light and temporary memory loss. You may also have difficulty concentrating, thinking and making decisions, and with tasks that require balance and coordination.
Contusions
Contusions are another common sport-related injury in young athletes, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports. Contusions are similar to bruises and they affect muscles and other soft tissues. A contusion occurs as the result of a direct blow to your body which can cause bleeding of muscles and soft tissues. Contusions are a relatively mild injury and rarely cause a young athlete to spend much time away from her sport. Treatment includes resting the injured body part, applying ice, applying a compression bandage to reduce swelling and to elevate the injured body part. These steps can help reduce discomfort and reduce the amount of time your spend healing.
Fractures
Fractures constitute 5 to 6 percent of all sports injuries, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. A majority of fractures occur in the legs and arms; young athletes rarely experience a spinal or skull fracture. Fractures can occur in two ways. A stress fracture is the result of an overuse injury; it occurs over time and the pain tends to increase with participation in athletics. Stress fractures normally occur in the foot and in the bones of your lower leg. The other way a fracture can occur is through a direct contact injury.
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