Keeping your active teen healthy and injury free is the key to avoiding long term issues as they get older. Today’s young athlete is even harder with the intensive year round sports, the rise in single sport specialization at an earlier age and balancing school work.
According to Margaret Lynch PA-C, ATC-R with OrthoCarolina’s Sports Medicine Center, common injuries that can impact teens are directly related to the rapid growth that their bodies are doing as well as the intensive training. Lynch shared some of the common issues that she sees in her patients.
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Osgood Schlatters is very common in young athletes. This will result in pain about the anterior knee at the tibial tubercle (the bump below the knee). This will often cause pain with jumping and running. This is related to growth and the forces that are seen at the growth plate at the tibial tubercle. This can be treated with activity modification, ice, anti inflammatories, physical therapy, and a cho-pat strap. If it does not improve with these things it is suggested that the child be seen.
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Muscle strains are also very common with young athletes. This often results in improper warm up and cool down. Muscle strains can often be treated with ice, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy. If there is substantial bruising with a muscle strain it is a good idea that the young athlete be evaluated.
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ACL tears are very common in young athletes. ACL tears are often more common in female athletes. There many factors that go into an ACL tear, it can be related to an increased Q angle, muscle imbalances, hormones as well as sport. OrthoCarolina providers do see higher risk of ACL tears with soccer, basketball, football. If there is concern for an ACL tear the young athlete should be evaluated by a physician or a physician assistant.
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Shoulder dislocations for common in contact sports such as lacrosse, football, soccer. The shoulder should be immediately reduced. After a primary dislocation once the athlete has regained full range of motion and strength he may return to play. There is a risk for subsequent dislocation. Physical therapy is recommended. Evaluation by a physician or physician assistant is advised after primary dislocation event. Patellar dislocation is very common for young athletes as well. After a primary (first) patellar dislocation we often advise that the patient be evaluated and obtain MRI to rule out what we call a loose body. This is a piece of cartilage that may have been chipped off in the dislocation event. Typically we do advise physical therapy and anti-inflammatory.
Lynch told us that male and female athletes are at equal risk for injury, “Both males and females that are active are at risk for injury. We often hear about increased knee injuries in females. We do see a higher incidence of ACL tears as well as patellar dislocations within young female population. This is related to wide and hips which results in increased Q angle, hormones which can increased laxity right before the menses as well as muscle imbalances and hyperextension of the knees. If you are playing basketball or soccer it is often go to go through an ACL prehab program” Nutrition also plays an important part in keeping your teen healthy, “A child that eats a balanced meal at home will gain the nutrients needed to protect against injury. There sadly is no known diet currently that will protect against injury. A balanced meal is most important”.
Next week, Lynch shares several ways to prevent injuries through flexibility training, answers questions about teens and weight lifting and what to expect if you do need to take your teen in for an evaluation.
To make an appointment with Margaret Lynch, PA-C, ATC-R Physician Assistant call 704-323-3190
