How To Help Prevent Pediatric Overuse Injuries

Sun October 31, 2021

How To Help Prevent Pediatric Overuse Injuries

Pediatric injuries, also known as overuse injuries, are caused by repetitive microtrauma to a muscle, bone, ligament, or tendon without adequate time to heal or overcome the injury. Overuse injuries now make up approximately half of all pediatric sports injuries. Here are some ways to help limit overuse injuries that you should implement with your child. 

The Causes

Before jumping into some ways to limit overuse injuries, we need to discuss the common causes of overuse injuries. 

Growth Spurts

Growth spurts make children more susceptible to injuries because muscles, tendons, and bones are growing rapidly, but all growing at different rates.

The Unprepared System

Growth plates are weaker and more susceptible to injury than fully-developed bones.

Sports

Children involved in high-level or year-round sports are at risk for burnout if not given time for rest and repair. Single-sport concentration at an early age has also contributed to an increase in pediatric overuse injuries.

#1: Wearing the Correct Protective Equipment

Always ensure that your child is wearing the correct protective equipment for sports activities and make sure that it fits properly because Ill-fitted equipment can lead to unintended injuries. This includes neck, shoulder, elbow, chest, knee, and shin pads, as well as helmets, mouthpieces, face guards, and eyewear. 

#2: Conditioning And Strengthening Muscles Before Play

It’s important to make sure your child is strengthening their muscles before playing because strength training increases an individual’s ability to exert force. 

#3: Stretching Before And After Play 

Stretching before and after a game can help with your child’s flexibility. 

#4: Utilizing A Variety Of Training Methods

As mentioned previously, focusing on a single sport at an early age can lead to overdue injuries. However, if you do only want your child focused on one sport, it’s important to utilize a variety of training methods. For example, if you’re a basketball player, instead of only lifting weights, you could switch it up and add in other exercises like running, swimming in the pool, or biking. By switching your routine, you help reduce repetitive impact.

Crafted Can Help

If your child is suffering from these or any other injuries, the experts at Crafted Physical Therapy are here to help get them on the road to recovery. Whether it’s developing modifications to daily activities, fitting or recommending orthotics, or providing a rehabilitative therapy course we are here to help. Give us a call at (720) 204-4567 or visit us online to schedule an appointment today.