Pediatric Sports Injuries

Get Back in the Game with Bay State Physical Therapy

Is your child an athlete? If so, you likely already know that bumps and bruises can happen. But, those injuries are sometimes more significant, requiring medical care to ensure proper healing and a safe return to activity. It is estimated that approximately 60 million children aged 6-18 participate in organized sports. Of those 60 million, roughly half will sustain some type of sports injury. If your child is experiencing pain that lasts more than a day or two, Bay State Physical Therapy can help! In the same way we treat adult muscle and joint (‘musculoskeletal’) injuries, our care can provide relief and a speedy recovery so your child can return to doing the sports they love!

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Types of Youth Sports Injuries

You don’t have to be a pro or competitive player to be an athlete. If you run, you’re a runner. If you swim, you’re a swimmer. Whether you train to compete or are simply trying new activities to find one that meets your fitness goals, skills, and interests, nothing is more frustrating than an injury that puts you on the sidelines.

Children aged 5 to 14 account for almost 40% of all sports-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms! Sports injuries can typically be placed into two categories: acute or overuse.

  • Acute injuries are caused by a specific incident, such as a collision resulting in an impact injury or concussion.
  • Overuse injuries are caused by excessive repetitive movements over time, often associated with a child who spends most of their active time involved in a single sport.

While the type, location, severity, and cause of sports injuries are as varied as the sports themselves, the four most common injuries are:

  • Sprain – A sprain happens when the ligaments that attach one bone to another are stretched beyond their capacity. While a mild ankle sprain tends to heal well on its own, once you have stretched those ligaments, you are more likely to re-injure your ankle a second or third time. Strengthening the surrounding muscles can be crucial toward reducing future re-injury.
  • Strain or “Pulled Muscle” – Unlike a sprain, a strain or “pull” occurs when a tendon that attaches a muscle to a bone is stretched beyond its limits. Similarly, once the tendon is stretched, it is more likely you will experience a pull or strain again. Proactive attention and care can help reduce the potential for worsening this type of injury.
  • Shin splints – Pain on the front of your shins, also known as “medial tibial stress syndrome” or shin splints. Usually caused by stress on your shinbone and the connective tissue that attaches there, shin splints are painful and often debilitating. Wearing proper footwear, warming up before exercise, and strengthening your core and leg muscles can often prevent this type of sports injury. Awareness and preparation can be vital in managing and reducing the recurrence of shin splints!
  • Knee injuries – Your knee is one of the most complex joints in your body. Whether you tear your ACL, develop a repetitive use injury of the patella tendon, or have a dull ache that runs from your hip downward in your leg, knee injuries are some of the most common sports injuries that can happen.

How Physical Therapy Treats Pediatric Sports Injuries

Physical therapists are specialists in body movement, assessing movement patterns and prescribing a treatment plan to target recovery. At Bay State Physical Therapy, our physical therapists understand the importance of conservative, non-invasive care when treating children. Our friendly, caring physical therapists incorporate safe, hands-on services, ensuring a customized care plan uniquely tailored to each patient. They also provide patients with stretching and exercise plans to ensure an improved range of motion, overall function, and the ability to safely return to activity with a decreased likelihood of re-injury.

A young athlete’s care plan may include:

  • Pain management techniques to reduce immediate discomfort and swelling
  • Manual therapy techniques to promote blood flow and healing while improving range of motion
  • Strengthening exercises to enhance not only the area that was injured but also the areas around your injury that are essential to return to action
  • Flexibility and mobility work to ensure muscles and joints function at their best
  • Balance and functional training to mimic sports movements and reduce the risk of re-injury

Helping Athletes Return to Sport

Children have biomechanics that differ from adults, especially during growth spurts, which can compromise joint and ligament stability. Each patient and their injury is unique, as is their treatment plan. Your child’s physical therapist will consider the patient’s age, level of physical activity, and physical and mental development.

We know physical therapists play a crucial role in rehabilitation after injuries have occurred.  However, injury prevention and education are also at the core of what we do! Because they understand the physical demands of sports, physical therapists can prevent potential injuries from becoming major ones. Bay State Physical Therapy is the Official Physical Therapy Partner of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. Learn more about our commitment to reducing youth athletic injuries by downloading our Injury Prevention Guide.

DOWNLOAD INJURY PREVENTION GUIDE

Pediatric Sports Therapy- Helping Athletes Stay Safe and Active

The overall goal of physical therapy is healing and prevention. In addition to treating the injury, our physical therapists will help strengthen the affected area to prevent additional injuries. Our physical therapists will also provide your child with helpful warm-up and cool-down techniques to help reduce their risk of sustaining another injury.

If your child experiences pain or injury during sports, schedule an evaluation at your nearest Bay State Physical Therapy location today.

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