Whether your child engages in physical activity or plays a specific sport, they can be susceptible to injury. At Manchester Pediatric Associates in South Windsor, and Tolland, Connecticut, the professional team of doctors diagnose and treat the full spectrum of sports injuries. If your child has been hurt during a sports-related event, call or request an appointment online with the skilled pediatric team today.
request an appointmentWhat are the most common sports injuries in children?
If your child engages in sports or movement, such as running, playing soccer or basketball, dancing, or other forms of activities, injury can happen.
Common pediatric sports injuries include:
- Sprains and strains
- Shin splints
- Pulled muscles
- Concussions
- Bone fractures
- Stress fractures
- Tendonitis
- Growth plate injuries
The highly skilled team at Manchester Pediatric Associates treats a broad range of illnesses and injuries.
What causes sports injuries?
When playing sports, your child can experience acute or overuse injuries. They become susceptible to injury for the following reasons:
Insufficient warmup
If your child doesn’t stretch their muscles and joints properly before being active, they put themselves at risk for injury.
Inadequate gear
Sports typically require safety gear — especially for high-contact sports — to protect your child from injury. If your child doesn’t use well-made protective equipment, or if they choose not to wear it while practicing their sport, they can get hurt.
Overtraining
Sports injuries can occur when your child applies continuous stress on their bones and muscles with repetitive motions.
Poor nutrition
If your child has a poor diet, they might need to add sports supplements to their diet for energy and to support the health of their growing body.
Nature of the sport
While playing any team sport, your child runs the risk of colliding with other players or falling, causing injury or trauma to the body.
Call the team at Manchester Pediatric Associates right away for an evaluation and treatment if your child gets hurt.
What happens when my child visits their pediatrician for sports injuries?
Your provider first talks to your child about their symptoms, giving them the opportunity to point to areas of pain or explain where they have an injury. Your child’s visit involves a comprehensive evaluation, meaning their pediatrician will examine their body and ask questions about their medical history.
Once diagnosed, the team works with you on a customized treatment plan to help your child’s injury heal.
How can my child prevent sports injuries?
The team at Manchester Pediatric Associates has the following recommendations for avoiding sports injuries:
- Get a sports physical before participating
- Gradually build up to a comfortable exercise level
- Routinely exercise to strengthen muscles
- Wear proper gear while playing your sport
- Don’t exercise right after a large meal
- Eat a healthy diet
- Don’t play when injured
These guidelines don’t guarantee the complete avoidance of injury, but taking precautionary action can reduce the risk of getting hurt.
If your child has sustained a sports injury, don’t delay. Call or request your child’s appointment online at Manchester Pediatric Associates today.