Common Childhood Sports Injuries
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- Written By: Northern Inyo Healthcare District
Keep Your Child Safe On & Off the Field
As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, children everywhere are dusting off their cleats and getting ready for another season of school sports. While playing sports is a great way for kids to stay active and make friends, it's important to be aware of the injuries they can face. Here are some of the most common childhood sports injuries to keep in mind:
Concussions
A concussion is a type of brain injury that can occur after a blow to the head. Concussions can cause symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. If your child has a concussion, it's important to take them to the doctor right away.
Orthopedic Injuries
Accidents can happen, especially in contact sports. Orthopedic injuries are injuries to the bones, joints, or muscles. Common orthopedic injuries in children include sprains, strains, and fractures. If your star athlete appears to have an orthopedic injury, they should stop playing immediately and seek treatment. Delaying care after an injury could increase your child’s risks for orthopedic surgery and chronic pain.
Heat Exhaustion
When it’s game time, kids can often forget to drink enough water or take breaks in the shade. The result? Dehydration and, eventually, heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is a type of heat-related illness that can occur when the body isn't able to cool itself down. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. If your child has heat exhaustion, it's important to get them out of the heat and into a cool environment as soon as possible.
Preventing Sports-Related Injuries
The best way to prevent childhood sports injuries is to make sure your child is properly hydrated and wears the appropriate safety gear. If your child does experience an injury, it's important to seek medical attention right away.
