Each year more than 1.35 million children suffer a sports-related injury serious enough to require medical care. In addition to sprains, strains and fractures, here are some of the more common but sometimes less obvious injuries that parents need to be aware of.
Concussion
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury usually caused by a blow to the head. In recent years, there’s been a growing concern about concussions occurring in young people playing sports, especially football, ice hockey and soccer. It’s extremely important that any young person who has possibly suffered a concussion be examined and cleared by a doctor before returning to play.
Growth Plate
The growth plate in a child is the piece of cartilage near the end of a long bone. The plate eventually becomes solid bone when the child grows up. Because they are the last part of the bone to harden, growth plates are vulnerable and can be fractured more easily than the other part of the bone.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone often caused by repetitive motion or overuse. They usually occur in the weight-bearing bones of the legs and feet, often in the shinbone. Young athletes who do a great deal of running (track, cross country) are particularly susceptible to stress fractures.