What Parents Need to Understand About Childhood Sports Injuries

During the school year, many parents find themselves on the sidelines of a field, watching their child participating in football, soccer, baseball, or some other sport. Some children may even opt for more unconventional sports, such as horseback riding. The benefits of childhood sports are well-documented. These types of activities help children learn to stay active, and they develop positive traits, such as perseverance and teamwork.

However, many parents may not understand the risks of playing sports or what kind of injuries can occur. While getting a scrape or a bruise here and there is just part of being a child, sometimes sports injuries can be devastating and costly, impacting a child’s life significantly. So, what you should know if your child plans on playing sports this year? Well, you need to be informed about the types of injures that could occur and what to do about them. Here is a list of the most common types of childhood injuries caused by sports:

 

Head Injuries

The head injuries that children can get from playing sports are called traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs. TBIs are can range from mild to severe, and they are one of the most common injuries caused by sports. They are seen most commonly in football players, since football is a contact-heavy sport. However, they can also be caused by other sports, such as basketball and soccer.

If your child gets a TBI from playing sports, it will most likely be a concussion. Parents of children who play sports should make sure they are familiar with the symptoms of a TBI. If left untreated, some TBIs can cause permanent damage. TBIs can also have delayed symptoms, so if your child suffers a head injury, it is important to seek a medical evaluation, even if there are no immediate symptoms. 

There are several main signs to look out for that indicate a mild TBI. These include headaches, seeming dazed, fatigue, loss of consciousness for a short time, trouble sleeping, vomiting or nausea, sleeping more than usual, loss of balance, dizziness, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, speech issues, memory problems, mood swings, and sensitivity to light and/or sound. 

A child with a more severe TBI will exhibit additional symptoms, such as the inability to awaken from sleep, seizures or convulsions, clear fluid from the nose or ears, numbness in the toes and fingers, slurred speech, profound confusion, and out-of-character behavior, such as sudden aggressiveness.

If you notice your child displaying any of these symptoms after a head injury, make sure you get them checked by a medical professional right away. TBIs can worsen if left untreated.

 

ACL Tears

The term “ACL tear” refers to a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament or, “ACL.” This is a serious knee injury common in young athletes. An ACL tear requires immediate medical treatment and can take a long time to heal. This injury can be caused by a variety of sports and can happen when an athlete is landing a jump, or when the knee is injured when an athlete collides with another player. When this happens, a loud popping sound can often be heard, and the injured player may feel a popping sensation in the knee. Generally, the player’s leg will then give way when weight is put on the knee. ACL tears often require surgery. People will this injury normally have to go through extensive physical therapy as well. If your child injures his or her knee during a game, don’t let them try to push through until the end. Pull them out and seek medical care immediately. 

Sprains

Sprains are another common injury among children who play sports. Ankle sprains are probably the most common type of sprain caused by youth sports, but sprains are also common in the wrist and elbow. Mild sprains generally mean a child needs to take a short time to rest and heal, but more severe sprains require treatment. If your child has a difficult time walking or moving the impacted area, or if they are in continuous pain, take them to the doctor right away. An x-ray will show the true extent of the injury, and your doctor will help you and your child come up with the best treatment plan. 

 

Additional Common Injures

Other common injuries parents should be on the lookout for include:

• Dehydration
• Hyperextension of the big toe (or “Turf Toe”)
• Rotator cuff tendonitis
• Little Leaguer’s Elbow
• Hand and wrist fractures
• Dislocated shoulder

 

Tips for Parents

The truth is, there is no way to guarantee your child won’t be injured while playing sports, but you can do a few things to reduce the risk. Whether your child is in preschool playing t-ball or in high school playing basketball, you should take all injuries seriously. As soon as you notice your child has an injury, you should get medical attention right away. Getting help quickly can be crucial if your child has a time sensitive injury, such as a TBI or fracture. 

If your child wants to be active but hasn’t chosen a sport yet, you can try to steer him or her towards a “safer” sport and away from sports with high rates of injures. Sports like swimming and tennis have lower rates of injures.

Football is probably the most dangerous sport your child could choose to play, and that is because of the risk of a traumatic brain injury. Football is responsible for around 60% of all concussions caused by childhood sports. But what is even worse is that children who play football can end up with a long-term injury called chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This condition is caused by the repeated collisions that occur during football, and it can lead to lifelong problems with memory loss, poor judgement, and even things like impulse control. 

Soccer and basketball also have a high rate of childhood injures, although the injuries caused by these sports are less likely to cause lifelong damage. Soccer tends to cause knee injuries, and ACL tears are common in soccer players. Basketball causes a lot of sprains and other injuries to the wrists, ankles and knees. Additionally, basketball causes the most dental related sports injuries in children. This is because players can sometimes collide, and the sport doesn’t require protective facial gear.

If your child is dead set on playing a more dangerous sport, and you want to let them follow their dream, you can still try to lower the risk of injury. First, you can sit down with your child and talk about the possible injuries that can occur. Make sure your child knows to let you or their coach know right away if they are injured. This way, you can get medical help right away. In addition, watch a few of your child’s practices to see what the environment of their team is like. If the coach is pushing the players too hard, or if there are aggressive children on the team, you may want to consider letting your child play somewhere else.

There is no sport that is 100% safe, but if you and your child are informed and prepared, the chance of injuries and long-term damage can be minimized.