Four common youth sports injuries

While youth sports have many benefits for young people, including physical fitness, discipline and teamwork, these activities pose a risk of injury. Injury rates in sports have risen over the past decade due to more intense training and the inclusion of younger children in competitive sports and seasonal sports that are now played year-round. 

While your child may enjoy sports, knowing about common sports injuries and how to treat them can be beneficial for any parent. 

Here are some of the most common youth sports injuries we see in patients under 18 years of age at urgent care centers.

1. ACL tears

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a large ligament that helps stabilize the knee. This ligament can be torn when an athlete stops or changes direction quickly, makes a sudden movement or sustains a direct hit to their knee. The most common sport for ACL tears is football, though athletes who participate in basketball, soccer, tennis, skiing or any sport that involves sudden movement.

Since complete ACL tears nearly always require surgery, ACL tears are the leading cause of all sports-related orthopedic surgeries.

Preventing ACL tears involves strengthening the muscles around the knee, particularly the supportive muscles of the hamstring and quadriceps. Balance training, warming up properly before an event and wearing supportive shoes can also help. 

2. Ankle sprains

The ankle is the most commonly-injured joint in the body. An ankle sprain occurs when any (or all) of the three large ligaments that stabilize the ankle joint are overstretched. Most ankle sprains are injuries where the foot rolls inward and causes damage to the ligaments along the outer ankle.

Ligaments are connected to bone, which means severe sprains can also cause an avulsion fracture, where a piece of bone is pulled away from the rest of the bone when the ligament is stretched or torn. Because of this risk, healthcare providers often obtain an ankle X-ray to evaluate patients who have sustained a significant ankle injury to ensure there are no fractures.

Similar to ACL tear prevention, strengthening supportive muscles around the ankle can help prevent sprains. Working on improving ankle flexibility, warming up before a workout and practicing balance exercises can also be beneficial. Wearing supportive shoes or taping the ankle during high risk exercises can help lower the risk.

3. Concussions

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that occurs when someone sustains a significant jolt, blow or bump to the head that causes the brain to move inside the skull.

Concussions pose a special risk to adolescents and teens because their brain isn’t fully developed until they reach their early-to-mid 20s. Trauma sustained before the brain is fully developed can have long-term consequences, including depression and learning difficulties. The most common sports for concussions are boys’ football, girls’ soccer and boys’ ice hockey.

It’s important for young athletes to wear proper protective equipment and be evaluated promptly if they do sustain a head injury. It’s also important to let a concussion injury completely heal before returning to the sport since injuries sustained while the brain is still healing have an exponentially negative effect.

Concussions can be prevented by wearing the right protective gear, such as helmets during contact sports. Practicing proper techniques to limit head injuries, such as safe tackling in football, can also help. 

4. Little Leaguer’s elbow

Repetitive throwing can cause an elbow condition called medial apophysitis. This condition is often called “Little Leaguer’s elbow” since this injury is most commonly seen in young athletes who play baseball.

A Little Leaguer’s elbow occurs when there’s a strong pull on the ligaments and tendons that hold the bones of the elbow in place, which usually happens when an athlete throws a baseball with force. A similar injury can happen to tennis players of all ages, known as “tennis elbow.”

Patients with this condition often have elbow pain as well as a bump that forms on the inner aspect of the elbow. Little Leaguer’s elbow often resolves with ice and rest, and in many cases, it can be prevented by giving young baseball players proper throwing instructions.

Young people with severe or prolonged pain should undergo a medical evaluation that typically includes an X-ray since this type of injury can cause significant damage to the bones that form the elbow joint.

Preventing Little Leaguer’s elbow requires limiting pitch counts and getting plenty of rest between games. Strengthening the arm, shoulder and core muscles can help provide more support for the elbow joint, as can proper throwing mechanics.

Treating Minor Injuries at Home

Minor injuries like sprains, strains and small cuts can often be treated at home and may not require a trip to the doctor or urgent care. The RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation) is one way to reduce swelling and pain from minor sports injuries 

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain. Keeping cuts or minor scrapes clean with soap and water, applying antibiotic ointment and covering with a bandage can help lower the risk of infection. If symptoms worsen or don’t improve within a few days, a visit to a healthcare provider might be required.

Visit urgent care for sports injuries

When you visit an urgent care, we’re ready seven days a week to handle common sports injuries that may happen to your child. We also offer Virtual Visits for many healthcare needs to accommodate your busy schedule. 

You can walk into any center without an appointment or save your spot online ahead of time. With x-ray capabilities at most centers and healing supplies such as slings and crutches, we’ll have you back to feeling better in no time.

Youth sports injuries FAQs

Here are some common FAQs about youth sports injuries:

Which bone is most likely to get injured in sports?

A 2019 study found that fingers are the bones most likely to get fractured, while shoulders are most commonly dislocated. Other common bones that can get injured due to sports include the collarbone, ankle, wrist, arm or leg.

How can sports injuries be prevented?

While sports injuries happen, they can be prevented with proper warm-ups, using the right equipment, maintaining good technique and avoiding overtraining. Regular strength and flexibility exercises and encouraging rest days are also important for reducing the risk of injury. 

How do I know if my child needs to see a doctor after an injury?

If your child experiences severe pain, swelling, visible deformity, inability to move the injured area or if the injury does not improve within a few days, all indicate they may need to see a doctor. For head injuries, any signs of confusion, dizziness or vomiting all require immediate medical attention.

How long should my child rest after an injury before returning to sports?

The amount of rest your child needs will depend on the type and severity of the injury, ranging from a few days to several weeks. Always listen to your child’s doctor before resuming sports to ensure they remain pain-free.

References: 

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/expert-answers/concussion-in-children/faq-20058282
2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/all-childrens-hospital/services/pediatric-sports-medicine/injuries/shoulder-elbow-conditions/little-leaguers-elbow-medial-apophysitis
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7040946/

Written by Sarah Thebarge, Physician Assistant