Elevate Your Health Colorado: Your Health Information Resource

If your child will be playing school sports this fall, it’s important to have a game plan for long-term success. First, make sure your child follows the recommended precautions for preventing common sports injuries. Second, should an injury occur, it’s helpful to recognize the signs and symptoms and know when to seek medical treatment.

Most Colorado schools require student athletes to have a physical before playing sports. Some schools provide these exams, but sometimes it’s necessary to schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician. Be sure to know what the policies are at your child’s school, including whether your doctor will need to fill out a form. Some health care providers, like Kaiser Permanente Colorado, will promote to sports physicals in the summer to make them more convenient for kids and their parents.

Head, knee, and ankle injuries
“Three common sports injuries in school-age athletes are concussions, knee injuries, and sprained ankles,” says Sean Haney, MD, a family medicine physician with advanced sports medicine training who works in the Orthopedics Department at Kaiser Permanente Colorado.

Concussions are brain injuries caused by a bump or blow to the head. “It’s important to know that a concussion can occur even if your child isn’t knocked unconscious,” Dr. Haney says. “After a head injury, be on the lookout for symptoms, which can vary considerably.”

Some symptoms, such as a slight headache, dizziness, or queasiness, could easily get overlooked. Other, more severe symptoms can include vomiting, visual disturbances, and difficulties with speech, memory, coordination, and balance. If you observe any of these symptoms in your child, be sure to alert your child’s coach. It may be necessary for your child sit out the remainder of the game.

“The best way to avoid head injuries is to wear a helmet – especially when playing football, biking, skateboarding, and mountain climbing,” Dr. Haney adds.

Most concussions tend to be mild and resolve on their own. However, in some cases, people experience post-concussion syndrome, causing them to have memory problems, or feel depressed or “foggy,” for weeks or months afterward.

Although it’s rare, an even greater concern is second impact syndrome, which can occur when a second concussion occurs before the brain recovers from the first. This may result in brain swelling, permanent brain damage, or even death. It is important to keep athletes with a known or suspected concussion from resuming play until they are symptom-free. Your pediatrician or, sometimes, the team’s trainer, can let you know when it’s safe for your child to resume playing.

Knee injuries are very common in athletes, especially those playing soccer and lacrosse. One of the most common involves the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), which is prone to stretching and tearing. “ACL injuries often are season- or career-ending injuries, and frequently lead to arthritis,” says Darin Allred, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Colorado.

These injuries often occur when athletes stop quickly and change directions, pivot, jump, or overextend the knee. “Due to their anatomy and muscle function, young female athletes are four times more likely to experience ACL injuries than young male athletes,” Dr. Allred adds. To help prevent ACL injuries, he recommends the Prevent Injury, Enhance Performance Program (PEP), which offers several preventive exercises. Orthopedic specialists and physicial therapists at Kaiser Permanente Colorado can help walk their patients through these recommended exercises.

Ankle sprains often result from a twisting motion that injures the ligaments. Symptoms typically include pain, swelling, bruising, redness, and warmth. Walking is difficult, if not impossible.

“If you’ve had one ankle sprain, you’re more at risk for others,” Dr. Haney says. “If you are unsure whether an injury is a sprain, or something more severe, have your child evaluated. Sprains are diagnosed clinically; and X-rays may be ordered to rule out fractures.”

The recommended home remedy for ankle sprains is referred to as “RICE,” which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. By elevating the ankle, wrapping it with a bandage, and applying ice, you can help reduce swelling. Ibuprofen also helps reduce inflammation and pain. To ward off future sprains, your child can wear a brace. At Kaiser Permanente, your pediatrician can also refer your child to a physical therapist.

To help children adjust to the rigors of fall sports, encourage them to remain active year-round. As they approach high school and the workouts become more intense, encourage them to keep up with running and weight training on a regular basis.

To learn more about preventing and treating sports injuries, visit kaiserpermanente.org.