An overuse injury happens gradually from a repetitive activity — usually sports-related. Children are at higher risk for overuse injuries because their bodies are still growing. Overuse injuries in children can affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and growth plates (where new cartilage develops at the end of long bones).
In recent years, overuse injuries have increased in children. Experts estimate about half of children participating in sports suffer from an overuse injury. These injuries occur in just about any sport and most commonly affect the knee, foot or elbow.
If your child has an injury or you’re worried about sports injuries, turn to the physicians and sports medicine specialists in MA and RI at Southcoast Health.
Some common overuse injuries in children include:
Overuse injuries result from continually using a set of muscles without adequate rest for healing and recovery. This is especially important to know if you have a child who trains and competes year-round.
The following risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing an overuse injury:
Children may not always communicate how they are feeling. That’s why you should be aware of the common signs of overuse injuries in children, including:
Treating overuse injuries in children may involve:
Many overuse injuries in children are preventable with strategies including:
Through the specialty of many physician practices across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Southcoast Health offers resources for preventing and treating overuse injuries in children.
Southcoast Health es un sistema sanitario comunitario, benéfico y sin ánimo de lucro, con múltiples puntos de acceso, que ofrece un continuo integrado de servicios sanitarios en todo el sureste de Massachusetts y Rhode Island.
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