How To Keep Your Young Athlete Safe in Sports
The warm weather sports season has children and teens of all ages streaming onto fields, courts, rinks, gyms and diamonds to get the most out of their chance to play organized sports. But the dark side of kids’ sports is the high rate of injuries that occur when kids get together to play an organized game. The good news is that many of these sports injuries can be prevented, allowing kids to play their favorite sports in good health. The physicians at Medco ER in Plano, TX, have put together some prevention tips and information you need to know to keep your young athlete in the game and feeling great.
Prevention Tips1
- Stretching and warmups
- Protective equipment that fits properly and meets safety standards
- Hydration
- Sleep
- Rotate sports and cross train muscle groups to keep from overwork or repetitive movements
- Safe surfaces to play on
- Adult supervision
- Doctor’s physical exam – make sure your child or teen is playing a sport that is a good fit for his/her athletic ability
- Healthy, balanced diet
- Listen to trainer and learn proper techniques to avoid injuries
- Rest an injury early on and get prompt medical attention
“Many sports injuries in children could be greatly improved by rest and recovery rather than pushing through and playing with pain,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “It’s important for parents to step in to make sure the child’s ongoing good health is the main concern.”
Types Sports Injuries
Acute injuries – sudden impact or fall that can result in minor scrapes or major injuries like broken bones or an eye injury.
Overuse injuries – repetitive stress injuries from doing the same motion or movement over and over again. Overuse often occurs in joints and can disrupt normal bone growth.
Reinjuries – repeat injury, often caused by returning to the sport before the original injury has had time to fully heal.2
Most Common Sports Injuries
Some of the most common sports injuries in children center around joint pain and injuries. A sprained ankle, twisted knee, frozen shoulder or wrist injury are all common problems. Concussions are also a common injury. Tendonitis, stress fractures and eye injuries are also very common.3
When to go to the ER
“Any time your young athlete is experiencing severe, sudden or ongoing pain, it’s time to come to Medco ER,” said Dr. Khan. “Any joint swelling, immobility, popping noise, recurring pain or impeded playing are all indicators that your child needs medical attention. Signs of a concussion such as dizziness, fatigue and nausea also require a doctor’s intervention. We’re here when your child or teen needs help.”
Get Help Fast at Medco ER
If your young athlete has experienced consistent pain from sports or has a new joint injury or pain, come see us right away. Open 24/7, we are conveniently located on Legacy Drive and have imaging equipment to diagnose common sports injuries. Skip the long lines and enjoy fast, quality medical care to help your child start to feel better.
Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-747-0370
1 https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/pain-management/types-of-pain/youth-sports/
2 https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sports-safety.html
3 https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/a-guide-to-safety-for-young-athletes/