It’s no surprise that playing sports increases your child’s physical health and reinforces teamwork, among many other benefits. On the other hand, being active in athletics significantly increases the chances of your child sustaining a sports injury.
You want to protect your child’s health, present and future. With the right preparation and education, your child can take steps to avoid getting injured on the court, track, or field.
At the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, our experienced care team, led by sports medicine specialist Dr. Michael L. Blackwell, enjoys supporting young athletes. We treat adult and child sports medicine patients from locations in Tomball, Kingwood, and The Woodlands, Texas.
Participating in sports can do a number on athletes’ bodies. The overall most common sports injuries in children and teens are strains and sprains. On the whole, lower-body injuries outnumber upper-body injuries.
Each type of sport is likely to produce different injuries, especially if your child doesn’t take care to prevent getting hurt.
If they compete in a contact sport like football, soccer, or basketball, they have a higher risk of injury than in a non-contact sport. Contact sports often cause broken bones and dislocations, when a bone is pushed out of place. Both broken bones and dislocations count as acute injuries and need professional treatment for a full recovery.
Sports that involve lots of running often result in Achilles tendon injuries or Achilles tendinitis due to pressure on the tendon that connects your heel to your calf muscle. Stretching thoroughly can help to protect your Achilles tendon.
Patellar tendinitis, also known as jumper’s knee, often strikes athletes in sports like basketball and volleyball. Athletes may also suffer from runner’s knee due to repetitive motion or a blow to the knee.
Sports like tennis and baseball put the pressure on your child’s elbows and shoulders. Overuse related to these sports may result in Little League elbow, rotator cuff injuries to the shoulder, and chronic tennis elbow.
Good preparation provides the best protection against injury. That’s as true in youth athletics as in any other part of life. To avoid the complications and hassles of a sports injury, take time to make sure your child takes the right steps to prepare for their activities.
Preventing sports injuries generally rests on two points, the right equipment and the right physical conditioning. You can talk to Dr. Blackwell about the best plan for your child’s sports activity and conditioning.
Youth athletes should always stretch thoroughly before getting active, and pay attention to body signals that indicate it’s time to rest during practice. Attention to diet and hydration can also keep young athletes healthy and free from injury.
And, of course, your child always needs to use the right equipment for their sport. Replace equipment that is too worn to serve its intended purpose.
For the support your child needs to get through the athletics season without serious injury, get in touch with Dr. Blackwell at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. If your child does get injured, the right care prevents many lasting complications.
Call now to schedule your initial consultation appointment, or book online today.
