Pediatric overuse in sports

A growing trend is developing in the United States with children and adolescent sports. Many children now are beginning to specialize in one sport at an early age instead of playing multi-sports or cross-training after season. This focus on one sport can lead to overuse and repetitive injuries in children. Children are more at risk for repetitive microtrauma and overuse injuries because their growing bones can not handle as much stress as the mature adult bone. Common symptoms of overuse injuries are: pain in specific area after activity, pain during the activity, pain with activity that restricts the child’s performance during the sport, and/or chronic, unremitting pain even at rest. Research has shown that up to 50% of all injuries seen in pediatric sports medicine are related to overuse. Typical treatment for overuse injuries in children consists of interdisciplinary treatment between your child’s doctor and physical therapist. Treatment will focus on decreasing pain, inflammation, and musculoskeletal dysfunction in order to return your child to sport without pain and risk of further injury. For further
information please refer to the following article in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/ or contact your doctor or physical therapist.

Kristin Sibilia, PT