Staying in the Game – What To Know About Sports Injuries
It’s the start of a new school year and another season of organized sports for millions of teenagers and children. They’ll be joining adults around the country who participate year-round in a multitude of sports as “weekend warriors.” Unfortunately, whether you’re putting on football pads, picking up a tennis racquet or swinging a golf club, injuries can happen. Here’s how to keep you on the playing field and get you back in the game.
PREVENTING INJURIES
Experts estimate that up to 50 percent of sports injuries can be eliminated by taking a few proper preventative measures.
Schedule a Physical Exam: A yearly physical exam with your family’s primary care physician can spot and correct potential medical problems, especially for children. Some school districts require a physical before a student can participate in a specific sport.
Keep In Shape: Starting a sporting activity without the proper physical conditioning can only produce a higher injury rate. You need to be fit to play, not play to become fit. Athletes should engage in regular off-season training to prepare for their sport. Being physically fit also reduces the amount of “second half” injuries caused by fatigue.
Stretching: Stretching exercises enhance the flexibility of your muscles, so they’re better able to contract and perform without tearing, reducing the risk of injury.
Don’t Play Through Pain: Pain is your body’s way of saying that something is wrong.
Seek medical help if there is joint pain, swelling, tenderness at a specific point, reduced range of motion, numbness or a tingling sensation.
Respect The Sport: Stay safe by using proper safety equipment and following the rules.
THE MOST COMMON INJURIES
The two most common sports injuries are sprains and strains. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament, a band of connective tissue between two bones. Sprains most commonly occur in the ankle and wrist, and cause pain, swelling, bruising and stiffness of the joint. Often, when the injury occurs, the athlete can feel a “pop” or a tear. A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon, the tissue connecting muscle to bone. The most common strains are in the back and hamstring. Symptoms include pain, muscle spasms and swelling.
A SPECIAL CASE FOR CHILDREN
Special attention should be given to a specific sports injury unique among young children: growth plate injuries.
The growth plate is the area of soft tissue near the end of long bones. As the child nears maturity, the growth plate closes and is replaced by bone. The growing bones and muscles of a child simply cannot handle as much stress as those of an adult. A typical example of a growth plate injury is pain in the elbow joint, caused by repetitive throwing, known as Little League elbow. The injury, which usually occurs before puberty, happens when a ligament in the elbow pulls away from the growth plate.
AVOID OVERUSE INJURIES
Kids love to play sports. But sometimes their enthusiasm can lead to injury.
Overuse injuries are one of the most common sports injuries in children.
Adults are also susceptible to overuse injuries. Some hard-core runners suffer from shin splints, a condition characterized by pain and discomfort in the lower legs and caused by repeated running on a hard surface. Make sure you’re using well-cushioned shoes and not always running on a hard surface such as asphalt.
The key to preventing overuse injuries is moderation and physical conditioning.
Don’t over-train, give your body at least a day or two of rest each week, and don’t try to play through pain.
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