Participation in youth sports continues to rise each year. If your child enjoys competitive sports, you may be caught up in the hectic schedule that comes with such an active lifestyle.
Driving your children to and from practice, investing in private lessons, and purchasing equipment throughout the year; competitive sports demand a lot out of you and your child.
When your child’s schedule revolves around sports, especially if they primarily compete in one type, pain and overuse injuries can easily occur. Consider the following information that can help you protect your child from sitting on the sidelines this upcoming school year.
Overuse Injuries and Child Athletics
Children that participate in one particular type of sport like distance running are likely to experience some kind of overuse injury at some point. The stress that’s applied to your child’s system with extra practices, working with private coaches, and competing multiple times per week can become overwhelming, causing tears or strains.
Overuse injuries occur as a result of repetitive action such as running, throwing, or swinging an arm. Some of the most common overuse injuries our Atlanta orthopedic doctors treat include:
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- Tennis elbow
- Shin splints
- Golfer’s elbow
- Stress fractures
- Tendinitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Protect Your Child Athlete from Overuse Injuries
One of the best ways you can protect your child athlete from overuse injuries while keeping them active is to switch up the types of sports they participate in. Not only will this help develop their skill set, but it will also provide a much needed rest on particular parts of their body that are normally overworked.
When a break or off season arrives, make sure your child avoids the urge to continue competing and rests. Taking a complete break between seasons can help prevent burnout and also allows their body to recuperate.
Contact AICA Orthopedics for Help
Summer serves as an excellent opportunity for your child athlete to relax and think about the types of sports they’d like to compete in this school year. If you would like to help your child avoid overuse injuries this year, contact our clinic for help.
Detecting particular signs and symptoms related to overuse injuries early is the best way to ensure that your child is able to compete all year long.