As a parent or coach of a young athlete, it’s important to understand the unique challenges that growing bodies face in sports. Young athletes are more prone to certain growth-related injuries and conditions that can affect their performance and long-term health.
Sports orthopedics is a specialized area of medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries and conditions related to sports. Here’s what you need to know about sports orthopedics for young athletes.
Common Growth-Related Issues for Young Athletes
Young athletes who are still growing and developing are at an increased risk for certain musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. These can include:
Growth Plate Injuries
These injuries occur when there is damage to the soft cartilage near the ends of the bones that is responsible for bone growth.
Growth plate injuries can happen in any bone, but they’re most common in the long bones of the arm and leg. Symptoms may include:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Difficulty moving the affected area
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
This condition is caused by repetitive stress on the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone.
Osgood-Schlatter disease often affects adolescents during growth spurts and may result in pain, swelling, and tenderness below the knee.
Spondylolysis
Spondylolysis is a stress fracture in one of the vertebrae of the spine. It is commonly seen in young athletes who participate in sports that involve repetitive hyperextension of the back, such as gymnastics and football.
Symptoms may include lower back pain, muscle spasms, and difficulty standing or walking.
Apophysitis
This is an inflammation of the bony growth plates in children and adolescents. Apophysitis is typically caused by overuse.
It is especially common in young athletes who play sports that involve a lot of running and jumping. The condition may cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area.
Sever’s Disease
Also called calcaneal apophysitis, this condition is caused by inflammation of the growth plate in the heel bone.
Sever’s disease is most common in children and adolescents who participate in sports that involve a lot of running and jumping. It may result in:
- Heel pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Risk Factors for Growth-Related Injuries
Young athletes who are still growing and developing are at a higher risk for growth-related injuries than adults. Common risk factors for these types of injuries include:
Age
As mentioned, young athletes who are still growing and developing are at a higher risk for growth-related injuries.
Playing Certain Sports
Certain sports put young athletes at a higher risk for growth-related injuries due to the high level of physical activity and repetitive motions involved.
Examples include:
- Gymnastics
- Football
- Basketball
Overuse
Overuse injuries can occur when young athletes train or participate in sports too intensely or too frequently.
Poor Technique or Form
Poor technique or form while playing sports can put extra stress on the muscles and joints and increase the risk of injury.
Lack of Rest or Recovery Time
Young athletes who don’t take enough time to rest and recover between practices and games are more likely to be injured.
These are the common growth-related issues that young athletes face and the risk factors associated with them. By understanding them, parents, coaches, and athletes themselves can take steps to prevent injury and promote healthy growth and development.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If your child experiences pain or discomfort while participating in sports, it’s important to seek medical attention.
A sports orthopedic specialist can diagnose the underlying cause of the symptoms and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Treatment options may include:
- Rest: Rest is often the first line of treatment for growth-related injuries. This may involve taking a break from sports or modifying activity levels.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles and improve flexibility to prevent future injuries.
- Bracing: Braces or other supportive devices may be recommended to provide stability and support during physical activity.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a growth-related injury or condition.
Prevention
Some growth-related issues are unavoidable. However, there are steps that young athletes can take to prevent injuries and promote healthy growth and development.
These include:
- Warming up and cooling down properly before and after physical activity
- Wearing properly fitting athletic shoes and equipment
- Focusing on proper technique and form when participating in sports
- Taking breaks and rest when experiencing pain or discomfort
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Getting enough sleep to support healthy growth and development
Sports Orthopedic in Dallas, TX
Sports orthopedics is an important area of medicine for young athletes. Growth-related injuries and conditions can affect performance and long-term health if not properly diagnosed and treated. If your child experiences pain or discomfort while participating in sports, it’s important to seek medical attention from a sports orthopedic specialist. By taking preventive measures and seeking early treatment, young athletes can stay healthy and reach their full potential in athletics.
Are you in search of the best sports orthopedic provider in Dallas, TX? You don’t have to look further than Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine. Our sports medicine specialists ensure all young athletes under our care receive the highest quality services. You may reach us at (972) 503-7272 today for any questions. Alternatively, you can use our secure online scheduling app to book a visit.
We look forward to serving you!
