Most Common Types of Sports Injuries
For children and teens, sports are a very valuable experience, and can help teach confidence, teamwork and social skills. While there are many benefits, there are also some common injuries players may experience.
Sprains and strains
A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue connecting two bones together in the body’s joints. The most common location for a sprain is in the ankle.
The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.
Signs and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Limited ability to move the affected joint
- Hearing or feeling a “pop” in the joint at the time of injury
Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. Mild sprains can be successfully treated at home. Severe sprains sometimes require surgery to repair torn ligaments.
Fractures
Bone fractures – breaks in a bone – are very common in sports, especially contact sports like football, basketball or rugby. The areas experiencing the most frequent fractures are the hands, wrists, collarbones, ankles and feet.
There are two main classifications of fractures: compound (open) and simple (closed). A fracture is considered compound when the broken bone has pierced through the soft tissues and the skin, creating an open wound. A simple fracture, on the other hand, has little to no damage to the soft tissues surrounding the bone.
Fractures are diagnosed by a healthcare provider with help of an x-ray of the affected area. Treatment of the fracture will depend on the severity of the break, but most will require casting or immobilization of the area. Some fractures might require surgery if the break is too severe.
All fractures should be treated with rest, icing, pain relievers and keeping the affected area elevated as much as possible.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation of the thick fibrous cords attaching muscle to bone. These cords are called tendons. The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint. There are many causes for tendonitis, the most common of which is overuse. People typically develop this condition when exercising, playing a sport, or due to occupational duties and hobbies that require repetitive movements of the same nature.
Tendonitis can occur in any tendon. But it’s most common around shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and heels.
Most tendonitis can be treated with rest, physical therapy and medicine to reduce pain. Long-lasting tendon inflammation can cause a tendon to tear, and a torn tendon might need surgery.
Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries are common in sports and can affect muscles, tendons and ligaments. The most common type of soft tissue injury is a contusion, also known as a bruise. These injuries are caused by blunt force, such as a fall, kick or blow. Symptoms include pain, swelling, warmth, tenderness and restricted motion.
Sprains are another type of soft tissue injury, as well as Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears.
This ligament is often injured during sports when jumping, landing, pivoting or changing direction. Depending on the severity, an ACL tear can require surgery to be repaired, as well as extensive physical therapy.
As with most sports injuries, the best treatment for bruises is rest, ice, compression and elevation. ACL tears should be diagnosed and evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Concussions
One of the scariest injuries a child or teen can experience is a concussion, the most common kind of traumatic brain injury. A concussion results from a force or impact like a bump, blow or jolt to the head jostling the brain. The brain bouncing or twisting in the skull creates chemical changes, which can damage brain cells.
Parents should look out for any of the following signs:
- headache or “pressure” in the head
- fatigue
- nausea or vomiting
- memory problems
- confusion
- dizziness or balance problems
- blurred vision
- sensitivity to light and noise
- unsteadiness
- anxiety
- irritability
The severity of a brain injury can range from mild to severe, and, in most cases, concussions do not require a visit to the emergency room. However, a parent should bring a child or teen to the ER if he or she experiences the following:
- a serious neck injury
- a loss of consciousness, or level of consciousness that deteriorates over time
- repeated vomiting
- inability to recognize people or places
- profound confusion
- numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- symptoms that worsen dramatically in a short period of time
Treatment for a concussion depends on the severity of the injury, but any suspected concussion means the child or teen needs to cease play immediately. If the child’s injury doesn’t require a visit to the ER, it is still important for the child to be seen by a healthcare provider to evaluate the injury and discuss any further treatment that might be needed or when the child can return to playing sports.
Dislocations
A dislocation of a joint can be painful for an athlete. The areas most commonly affected are:
- Shoulders: The ball of the upper arm bone can slip out of the shoulder socket, especially during a fall. Shoulder dislocations account for 67 percent of injuries in contact sports.
- Elbows: Elbow dislocations are common in contact sports, especially football.
- Knees: Knee dislocations can require ligament surgery.
Symptoms of a dislocated joint include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness to the touch
- Loss of range of motion
- Visible displacement
Dislocations are serious and should be treated with immediate medical care.
Some injuries are more severe than others, which is why receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment is crucial to helping children and teenagers recover properly to prevent future injuries.
If you have any questions, or need to schedule an appointment, please call us at Kids Central Pediatrics, or book an appointment online.
