Sports injuries in children are prevalent, with approximately 30 million kids playing in organized sports, states Jacel C. Brooks, M.D., at SportsMD.com. Children are getting involved in organized athletics at earlier ages, which, due to a lack of maturity of their bodies, can leave them more susceptible to injuries than adults.
As with all athletes, the most common injuries are sprains, strains and stress fractures, which are frequently referred to as overuse injuries. What makes children different is the fact that injuries incurred by an immature skeleton can cause damage to the growth plates and joint surfaces, which can affect growth to the entire musculoskeletal system later in life.
Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries are the most common types of sports injuries for children. Virtually every body part can be vulnerable to sprains, strains and stress fractures. Overuse injuries should be taken seriously, because continuing to compete with an overuse injury can lead to more severe injury. Common complaints of these injuries include shoulder pain (with overhead sports, such as basketball, volleyball and tennis), elbow pain (with baseball players) and knee and ankle pain (with gymnastics and distance running). If a child complains of these injuries or symptoms, it is wise to rest for a few days to see if the symptoms resolve.
Salter-Harris Fractures
More serious injuries commonly found in young athletes are Salter-Harris fractures. Salter-Harris fractures affect the growth plates of long bones, such as the femur and humerus. Growth plates are cartilage near the ends of immature, long bones that regulate and help determine length and shape of the bones when they mature. It is critical to diagnose and treat these injuries early; an untreated Salter-Harris fracture can alter the growth process of the affected bone.
Apophyseal Avulsion Fractures
Apophyseal avulsion fractures, although less common than Salter-Harris fractures, are common among adolescent athletes, from ages 13 to 25. An apophyseal avulsion fracture is characterized by an abnormal, bony-like growth occurring where the tendons attach to the long bone. Apophyseal avulsion fractures normally occur in the hip, pelvis and lumbar spine. These fractures occur, primarily, because muscle and tendon growth is normally slower than bone growth, which stresses the sites where the tendons attach to muscles. According to Dr. Brooks, an athlete may experience a "popping sensation" or sudden pain while running, jumping or kicking. Tenderness at the affected site can also occur. Rest, crutches, physical therapy and nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs are most often the only treatment necessary for apophyseal avulsion fractures.
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