Common Youth Sports Injuries & How to Avoid Them
While some sports have a higher chance of injury, all sports have a chance for injury, even noncontact sports like cheerleading, track, and gymnastics. Basketball, football, hockey, rugby, and soccer have the highest number of impacts, so these athletes may experience more injuries, such as:
- ACL tears
- Ankle sprains
- Concussions
- Growth plate injuries
- Overuse injuries
It is especially important to keep an eye on overuse injuries for youth athletes that are playing in multiple sports across multiple seasons throughout the year.
Make sure that your child is getting a sports physical at least six weeks before the start of their sports season. This can help determine if there are any injuries or any areas that you may need to keep an eye on for the future as they are competing.
Additional ways to avoid sports injuries include using proper form and following best practices during training and competition. Youth athletes should also focus on joint-strengthening exercises to help prevent sprains, tears, and falls that can lead to other injuries.
If you suspect a sports-related injury, schedule an appointment online with one of our sports medicine doctors at Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute or call (561) 694-7776.
