Types of sports injuries and recreational activities

Consider these estimated injury statistics for 2009 from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Basketball. More than 170,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for basketball-related injuries.
• Baseball and softball. Nearly 110,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for baseball-related injuries. Baseball also has the highest fatality rate among sports for children ages 5 to 14, with three to four children dying from baseball injuries each year.
• Bicycling. More than 200,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries.
• Football. Almost 215,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for football-related injuries.
• Ice hockey. More than 20,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for ice hockey-related injuries.
• In-line and roller skating. More than 47,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for in-line skating-related injuries.
• Skateboarding. More than 66,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for skateboarding-related injuries.
• Sledding or toboggan. More than 16,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for sledding-related injuries.
• Snow skiing or snowboarding. More than 25,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for snow boarding and snow skiing-related injuries.
• Soccer. About 88,000 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for soccer-related injuries.
• Trampolines. About 65,000 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for trampoline-related injuries

Can sports injuries be prevented?

Many sports injuries can be prevented by the use of management tools that consider factors, such as the environment of a particular sport and protection of the individual.

Environmental factors to be considered when planning sports activities include the following:

• The temperature of the environment (a cooler environment is best, when possible)
• The playing surface (the more shock absorbent the surface, the fewer injuries that may occur)
• The proximity of motor vehicles for activities, such as bicycling
• Proper maintenance of equipment used in the sport
• Firm enforcement of the rules
• Proper medical evaluation prior to participation in organized sports

Protection of the individual includes the following:

• Using protective devices, such as pads, helmets and gloves
• Monitoring increases in activity to prevent the child from doing "too much, too soon"
• Using shoes appropriate for the sport
• Adequate rehabilitation of injuries before continuing to participate in a sport

Safety gear and equipment

Safety gear should be sport-specific and may include such items as goggles; mouthguards; shin, elbow, and knee pads; and helmets. The safety gear worn by a child should fit properly. In addition, sports equipment (such as bats, baskets, and goals) should be in good working condition and any damage should be repaired or replaced. The playing area should be free from debris and water.

Physical checkup

To make sure your child is physically fit to participate in a particular sport, your child's doctor should conduct a sports physical. These physicals can reveal your child's physical strengths and weaknesses and help determine which sports are appropriate. Most sports physicals for children include a health examination that measures height, weight, and vital signs, as well as check eyes, nose, ears, chest, and abdomen. In addition, your child's doctor may perform an orthopedic examination to check joints, bones, and muscles.

Age

Starting a child in sports too young will not benefit the child physically. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children begin participating in team sports at age 6, when they better understand the concept of teamwork. However, no two children are alike, and some may not be ready physically or psychologically to take part in a team sport even at age 6. A parent should base his or her decision on whether to allow the child to take part in a particular sport based on the following:

• Age
• Weight
• Build
• Physical development
• Emotional development
• Child's interest in the sport

Note: AAP recommends that late-developing teens avoid contact sports until their bodies have developmentally "caught up" to their peers' bodies.

The importance of hydration

As your child participates in sports, he or she will sweat. This sweat must be replaced with equal amounts of fluids. Your child should drink fluids before, during, and after each practice or game. To avoid stomach cramps from drinking large amounts of fluids at once, encourage your child to drink about one cup of water (or a type of sports drink) every 15 to 20 minutes. Drinks to avoid include those with carbonation and caffeine. Also, watch children carefully when they are exercising in hot, humid weather as they can become dehydrated faster in these conditions. You should consider decreasing or stopping the activity when it is too hot.

The following are the most common symptoms of dehydration. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Thirstiness
• Weakness
• Headache
• Dark-colored urine
• Slight weight loss

If your child exhibits signs of dehydration, make sure he or she receives fluids immediately, as well as a snack. The symptoms of dehydration may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.

Sprains and Strains in Children  

The majority of sports injuries are caused by minor trauma involving muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons, including:

• Contusions (bruises)
• Sprains
• Strains

The most commonly sprained or strained joint is the ankle.

The three ligaments involved in ankles sprains or strains include the following:

• Anterior talofibular ligament
• Posterior talofibular ligament
• Calcaneofibular ligament

Sprains or strains are uncommon in younger children because their growth plates (areas of bone growth located in the ends of long bones) are weaker than the muscles or tendons. Instead, children are prone to fractures.

What is a contusion?

A contusion (bruise) is an injury to the soft tissue often produced by a blunt force such as a kick, fall, or blow. The immediate result will be pain, swelling, and discoloration.

What is a sprain?

A sprain is a wrenching or twisting injury or tear to a ligament. Sprains often affect the ankles, knees, or wrists.

What is a strain?

A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, and is often caused by overuse, force, or stretching.

What is a dislocation?

A dislocation occurs when extreme force is put on a ligament, allowing the ends of two connected bones to separate. Ligaments are flexible bands of fibrous tissue that connect various bones and cartilage.

Ligaments also bind the bones in a joint together. Stress on joint ligaments can lead to dislocation of the joint. The hip and shoulder joints, for example, are called "ball and socket" joints. Extreme force on the ligaments in these joints can cause the head of the bone (ball) to partially or completely come out of the socket.

The most commonly dislocated joint is the shoulder.

Dislocations are uncommon in younger children because their growth plates (area of bone growth located in the ends of long bones) are weaker than the muscles or tendons; instead, children are more prone to a fracture than a dislocation.

What are heat cramps?

Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat injury and consist of painful muscle cramps and spasms that occur during or after intense exercise and sweating in high heat.

What is heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion is more severe than heat cramps and results from a loss of water and salt in the body. It occurs in conditions of extreme heat and excessive sweating without adequate fluid and salt replacement. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is unable to cool itself properly and, if left untreated, can progress to heat stroke.

What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illness, occurs when the body's heat-regulating system is overwhelmed by excessive heat. It is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention.