Preventing Overuse Injuries
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Any parent of a child involved in organized sports will tell you about the rigorous schedules of practices and games, the emotional highs and disappointing lows. But what parents might not know about is the risk of overuse injuries.
An overuse injury is damage to the bone, muscle, ligament or tendon due to repeated stress and insufficient healing time. Tendonitis, bursitis and stress fractures are some examples of overuse injuries.
Children and teens are especially vulnerable to overuse injuries because their bones are still growing. Younger athletes also might not know what an overuse injury feels like, and, therefore, are less likely to stop the activity causing the problem.
Studies have found that young athletes who play more hours per week than their age — for instance, a 10-year-old who plays more than 10 hours a week — are more likely to be injured. Young athletes whose time playing organized sports is twice that of free play are also more likely to suffer from overuse injuries.
If your child plays sports, here are a few guidelines you should follow to help keep him injury free.
Contributed by: Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr., MD
Categories: Weekly Health Tips, Injuries
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