Teenagers in high school participate in school sports every year, which makes them prone to sports injuries. Basketball, softball, volleyball, and soccer are all physical contact sports, which can lead to a variety of injuries that need medical treatment. However, playing sports has many benefits, and you shouldn’t pull your children out of them out of fear of injuries.
An injury can lead to prolonged school absences and prevent teens from participating in activities they love. Teenagers are in the developing age, and the improper medical treatment of school sports injuries can come with lifelong consequences. In fact, teens who incur serious sports injuries in high school may have to deal with orthopedic issues later on if they are not treated correctly at the time of injury.
The best thing to do is to avoid injuries. However, when injuries do occur, seek proper medical advice and care for your child’s orthopedic needs from a board-certified and qualified physician. An orthopedic physician can put your child on the path to recovery and ensure the best possible outcomes.
Here are the most common school sports injuries you should be aware of.
Sprains and Strains
Injuries that are caused by a single blow, fall, accident, or traumatic event are called acute injuries. Some examples of acute injuries are sprains and strains. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments. The knee, ankle, and wrist are the most prone to sprains. A strain is a muscle or tendon injury. The areas prone to strains are the hamstrings and the lower back. Strains are typically caused by overuse and develop over time when physical activity is continually repeated. Strains often happen when you don’t give your body enough rest.
Fractures
Another type of sports injury is a fracture. The shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, and knee are prone to developing fractures. Basketball, gymnastics, and football are some of the most common sports activities that are high-risk for fractures.
But what causes fractures? Fractures can develop when blunt force is applied to bones. This is all too common in contact and fast sports. When you fall or collide with force, bones in your body can fracture under the pressure.
Concussion
Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury, usually caused by a direct blow to the head, that moves the brain rapidly. School sports like football, soccer, and ice hockey are some of the most common causes of concussions. However mild, concussions can have serious consequences and require immediate medical attention.
Pediatric Orthopaedic Care in Lauderdale Lakes and Pembroke Pines, Florida
Engaging in physical activity and school sports brings our pediatric patients joy, and our team at Total Orthopaedic Care encourages athletics when performed in a safe and effective manner.
We are proud to offer comprehensive pediatric orthopaedic care to our younger patients – from infants to teenagers. Our team of compassionate orthopaedic doctors is trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating all types of school sports injuries.
If you have any questions about our pediatric orthopaedics services, please call Total Orthopaedic Care at (954) 735-3535 or request an appointment now.
