Stop Sports Injuries in Young Athletes

Children under 12 who specialize in a single organized sport can develop overuse injuries because of repetitive movements to the young shoulders, knees, elbows, and wrists. If the injury sidelines them for a significant amount of time, they can become not only injured but discouraged from engaging in healthy activities.

On the other hand, if they are pushed to jump back into competition too quickly, the risk of re-injury increases.

What Sports Can Lead to Injuries in Kids?

Intense repetitive motions – such as the overhand movements used in swimming and baseball, for example – place stress on specific muscle groups. This can lead to muscle imbalances. Combine it with intense training and inadequate rest and overuse injuries to muscles, ligaments, and growth plates can result. These include ligament injuries, patellar tendinitis, Little League elbow and stress fractures.

According to the organizations, these sports report the most overuse injuries in children ages 5 to 14:

• 28 percent of football players
• 25 percent of baseball players
• 22 percent of soccer players
• 15 percent of basketball players
• 12 percent of softball players

Common signs of overuse injuries include intensifying pain with activity, changes in form, and a sudden disinterest in practicing.

Pars Stress Fractures in Young Athletes

Another injury that affects 30 percent of young athletes who complain of back pain is spondylolysis, also known as pars stress fracture. This painful condition of the lumbar (lower) spine occurs when the back is twisted or hyperextended continuously. It can affect growing bones by fracturing the structure connecting the spine’s facet joints – the pars interarticularis. 

Untreated, continuous stress fractures can cause spondylolisthesis, in which one vertebra slides over the adjacent vertebra.

Is it most often seen in cheerleading, ballet, diving, volleyball, karate, offensive and defensive line positions in football, wrestling, weightlifting, and some track and field athletes.

How to Prevent Kids' Sports Injuries

As enthusiastic as your child might be about doing well in a particular sport, it is important to limit the number of teams in which your child participates. Encourage your child to try different sports and take breaks during the year. Make sure to build in plenty of rest periods during training. Noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews says young athletes should have a minimum of three months' rest each year, especially those in throwing sports. 

The  American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) have teamed up to help parents and coaches learn more about overuse injuries with the One Sport Injury awareness campaign. Learn more here: https://www.orthoinfo.org/onesportinjury

If your young athlete suffers an injury, you can depend on our sports medicine and orthopedic surgeons at Orthopedic Specialists for diagnosis and treatment. Call 727 496-2391 for an appointment.