Game on!
How to help your kids
stay injury-free
IT
makes the sports page when a
famous athlete gets hurt. But sports
injuries aren’t just for pros.
Child athletes can, and do, get
hurt too. Whether it’s football, bas-
ketball, soccer, track or gymnastics,
any athletic activity poses a risk for
injuries.
Just like adults, child athletes are
at risk for broken bones, strained
muscles, sprained ligaments and heat
illness. And because
they’re still young
and growing, child
athletes are at risk
for injuries not expe-
rienced by adults.
For example,
sports injuries can
damage a child’s
growth plates—
tissues near the end
of long bones that injure more easily
than tendons or ligaments.
To help prevent injuries:
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Take children to the doctor for a
preseason physical exam.
w
Sign kids up for programs where
coaches know
how to prevent
and spot injuries.
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Ask whether coaches teach and
remind players of proper techniques
for the sport.
w
Be sure coaches provide time for
warming up and cooling down. is
can help loosen muscles before and
Our clinic providers are here
to help with sports activity
injuries at either the
Ortho Clinic, with our new
same-day appointment
services, at
541-663-3100
or at the Children’s Clinic at
541-663-3150
.
A heads-up about concussion
a er practice or competition.
w
Out t children in the appropriate
gear for the activity—such as hel-
mets, eye protection, mouth guards,
shoes and pads.
w
Make sure coaches recognize
the dangers of playing and practic-
ing in hot weather. Players should
always have plenty of water to drink,
take regular breaks and be dressed
appropriately.
Kids should drink 8 ounces of
uid every 20 minutes, plus more
a er playing. Coaches should know
the signs of heat exhaustion and
heatstroke and be ready to call for
emergency help if needed.
Remember: Heat illness can be
deadly if not treated immediately.
w
Ask if there are rules against unsafe
practices, such as head rst sliding in
baseball or so ball, spearing in foot-
ball, and body checking in ice hockey.
w
Tell children to speak up if
they’ve been hurt. e coach needs
to know.
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American
Academy of Pediatrics; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskel-
etal and Skin Diseases
Most kids get their fair share of bumps
and bruises. And while many childhood
injuries are minor, some are serious, such
as a concussion.
A concussion is a brain injury caused
by a bump, blow or jolt to the head,
which can disrupt the way the brain
normally works. Concussions can range
frommild to severe, and some may lead
to long-lasting problems.
Signs and symptoms of a concussion
may be apparent right away. But some-
times they may not appear or be noticed
for days or weeks after the injury.
If you suspect that your child has a
concussion, seek medical attention
immediately. Symptoms can include:
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Headache
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Nausea or vomiting
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Balance problems or dizziness
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Trouble seeing
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Sensitivity to light
or noise
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Confusion
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Concentration or
memory problems
Be sure to remind older kids—
especially if they play sports—never
to ignore a bump or blow to the head.
It’s important that they tell you or their
coach when they hit their head, even if
they feel OK. They need to get checked
out.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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