INJURIES IN
THE YOUNG ATHETE
INJURY PREVENTION SYMPOSIUM
“The heightened intensity of
training and competition
among young athletes places
them at increased risk for
both acute and chronic
injuries”
Why are children susceptible to
injury?
 I. Developmental Factors
 II. Varying athletic Ability
 III. Unsupervised athletic activities
 IV. Increase in intense training at younger ages and
participation in multiple sports.
THE MIRACLE OF PUBERTY
NEISS
 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System
 Primary Purpose: Provide timely data on consumer productrelated injuries occurring in the U.S.A
 Data collected from 100 selected Emergency Departments
as a probability sample of all the 5,300 U.S. hospitals
 By Groupings eg. Sports and Recreational Equipment, Yard
and Garden Equipment(59,155 hand garden tool injuries
2009), Home Furnishings & Fixtures(246,733 ladder or stool
injuries 2009)
NEISS 2009
SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL
EQUIPMENT
 Basketball injuries: 501,251
 Baseball and softball injuries: 286,708
 Football injuries: 451,961
 Soccer injuries: 208,214
 Track and Field Activities, Equipment: 22,191
 Racquet Sports: 32,529
 Nonpowder Guns, BB’s Pellets: 22,630
KEY PLAYERS INJURY
PREVENTION
 Medical staff- Team physician, athletic trainer, physical
therapist,
 Coaches
 Athlete
 Parents
MEDICAL STAFF
 Injury Management

Initial Diagnosis

Define Treatment Plan

Restore Normal Function after Healing of Injury

Prevent Future Problems
 Education
 Communication
MEDICAL STAFF
What is the goal?
Return to Play
Preserving the health of the athlete’s present and future
High rates of osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction
Defining impact of injury on future medical problems
RETURNING TO SPORTS
Lengthen healing time if return from injury to soon
Never exercise the injured part if you have pain during rest
When pain stops at rest, start simple ROM exercises and
progress to strengthening
Return gradually to sports specific training altering progression
based on recurrent pain or swelling
Gradual increase sports intensity until back to preinjury level
COACHES
 What is your role?

Educator

Role model

Encourager

Mother or father figure

PARENTS
INJURY PREVENTION
 Always use proper body mechanics in sports involving
repetitive stress
 Listen to your body. Pain is the Good Lord’s warning sign

Knee PWSMM
 Train for your sport
 Cross train for overall conditioning and to allow specific
muscles to rest
INJURY PREVENTION
 Prepare for you sport, both physically and mentally
 Weekend warrior syndrome eg. Summer before ninth grade
 Balance training with rest
 Wear and use proper gear for your sport
 Understand the rules and follow them
 Warm up slowly before activity esp in sports requiring quick ,
dynamic movements
LOWER EXTREMITY INJURIES
 Ankle Injuries
 Knee injuries
 Lower Back Injuries
ANTERIOR CRUCIATE
LIGAMENT
ACL TEAR
 Devastating injury to knee
 Most long term studies show OA in 60-70% of patients down
the road after ACL injury despite “successful” surgical
treatment and return to sports
 ACL tears occurring at all ages even as young as 6 years of
age
ACL PREVENTION
CONCUSSION
Definition: Traumatic injury to the brain that alters mental
status or causes other symptoms
CONCUSSION
Remember that a significant brain injury can occur
without losing consciousness.
CONCUSSION
SYMPTOMS
Balance problem
Difficulty communicating, concentrating
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Feeling emotional
Feeling mentally foggy
Headache
Vomiting
Dizziness
CONCUSSION
SYMPTOMS
Irritability
Memory difficulties
Nausea
Nervousness
Numbness or tingling
Sadness
Sensitivity to light or noise
Sleeping more than usual or difficulty falling asleep
CONCUSSION
 How do we prevent concussions?

Better equipment eg. State of the Art Helmets

Better treatment

Avoid second impact syndrome

Neuropsychological Testing
PREVENTING HEAT ILLNESS
Ensure proper acclimatization at the beginning of the workout
session
Evaluate weather condition for temperature, humidity, and
sunlight
Schedule rest in the shade
Identify participants at particular risk
Hydrate before practice and competition
Have chilled fluids readily available at the practice site
PREVENTING HEAT ILLNESSES
 Enforce periodic drinking
 Never use water restriction as a form of discipline
 Discourage deliberate dehydration for weight loss
 Make appropriate clothing adjustments
 Schedule events to avoid peak hours of heat and sun
 Educate players and parents
 Record daily weights to ensure adequate rehydration
between practices
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION