From the time kids are born, sports are a part of their life. There are sleepers with baseballs on them, NFL bibs and blankets and an entire line of Ohio State Buckeye layettes. Whether its a girl or boy, basketball or soccer, you can find something at any age that relates to sports. As these toddlers grow up, they soon find their way to the football field, soccer goal or softball dugout, but at what cost?
According to Dr. Rodney Miller M.D., a local physician, more than 3.5 million children age 14 and younger are treated for sports injuries every year. In addition, nearly half of all injuries sustained by middle school and high school students during sports are overuse injuries. It seems that playing smart is becoming just as important as playing to win, especially where good health is concerned.
Playing sports and being a part of a team has many benefits. It promotes physical fitness, healthy lifestyles and even gives students the opportunity to interact and face challenges together. Participating in sports builds character, dedication and endurance, but, unfortunately, playing a sport can also put students at risk for sports related injuries.
During a typical year Dr. Miller sees approximately 100 to 150 student athletes that have suffered a significant injury during practice or an actual sporting event. While these injuries may vary in types, many involve similar problems and treatment.
These injuries could include a significant sprain to an ankle, knee, or shoulder, Miller said. Injuries may also include fractures such as a femur, wrist, or ankle. It may also include a ligament injury with a knee such as an ACL tear or a meniscus tear.
Miller said he sees more overuse injuries in children, as well as training-related injuries. In todays competitive world, rigorous practices and long workouts are daily events for most students, but taking a break and making sure the right protective equipment is worn can help.
I see more injuries primarily related to the volume of training in children, which we did not see in the past, Miller said. Another thing that increases the risk for injury is not doing the appropriate strengthening and stretching before participating and when inappropriate or inadequate equipment is worn for protection.
There is more equipment and protective gear available today than in past years. Taking advantage of protective equipment and even enrolling in special training programs are great ways to strengthen and maintain athletic health. Using protective gear that is specially designed to maintain knee health is wise because many sports injuries occur in the knees.
There are specific training programs and even braces that may help prevent injury to such areas as the knee or ankle, although these are somewhat controversial, Miller said. About 40 percent of the injuries that we see from athletes seem to involve knee problems, so paying special attention to the knees is important.
There are other issues that may predispose a young athlete to injury. Miller said that muscle tightness and weakness, over activity of a muscle, psychological issues, low bone density, alignment issues, and even eating disorders can all increase the chance for an injury.
Students can thus better prepare themselves for sporting activities by eating a healthy diet, maintaining appropriate body weight, not using inappropriate supplements and/or steroids to try to improve performance, and being honest with their parents or coaches if they are having pain relating to their sporting activity, he added.
Taking care of yourself will always put you in a better place for healing in the event of an injury. However, regardless of how adamantly proactive an athlete is, injuries still occur. The number one priority for an injured student athlete is getting the student healed and back in the game. Miller thinks reaching this goal involves more than just good treatment.
If an injury does occur, the best way to get a student healed and back to the game quickly is by good communication between the student athlete, the coach, the parents, and their physician, he said. Treatment could include things as simple as ice, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medications and/or physical therapy, chiropractic care, or referral to an orthopedic surgeon for possible X-rays and/or an MRI.
Student athletes and coaches are well aware of the potential for injuries. Safe practices and a healthy lifestyle can help avoid some of the issues, but making sure an injury is completely healed before returning to the game is also vitally important. Getting a release from a qualified physician and following doctors orders is the key to success when it comes to a sports injury.
Encourage your kids to play sports, but be involved and pay attention to any symptoms or signs of trouble. Early intervention in any area makes for less complications and a better outcome.
