Sports Injuries - Pediatric

• Dislocated joints
• Fractures
• Growth plate injuries
• Pulled, strained or swollen muscles
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Sprains
• Strains
• Tendon injuries
• Overuse injuries in adolescents

Symptoms vary depending on the injury, but common symptoms include:

• Being unable to place weight on the injured body part
• Joint immobility or difficulty moving joints
• Pain or tenderness in the injured area
• Swelling of the injured area
• Visibly dislocated joint or bone

• Schedule a physical before the child begins playing sports to ensure he or she is healthy enough to participate.
• Make sure the child uses the right equipment, shoes and clothing for his or her sport.
• Encourage the child to warm up before playing, as well as cool down and stretch afterward.
• Tell the child to stop playing if he or she feels hurt.
• See Thrower's Ten workout to help strengthen shoulder muscles.

All sports carry some risk for injury, but some participants are at a higher risk due to:

• Growth spurts or imbalance in children
• Improper technique
• Playing sports without warming up or stretching

• Medical history and symptom review. The healthcare provider will ask about sports participation, how the injury occurred, any previous injuries and current symptoms.
• Physical examination. The doctor will examine the child’s injury to determine what treatment is necessary.
• Imaging. Depending on the child’s injury, X-rays, MRIs or CT scans may be necessary.

• Conservative options include the RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation), over-the-counter pain medications and splinting.
• Physical therapy may be recommended to help safely exercise the area, regain strength and range of motion or prevent additional damage.
• Surgery is recommended for severe injuries that won’t respond to more conservative treatments.

• Children should limit activity while healing.
• The injury should be completely healed before the child returns to the sport.