May 24, 2022:
With the beginning of the spring baseball season now upon us, doctors are starting to see an increase in elbow problems in young baseball and softball players.
Soccer is one the fastest growing youth team sports in the United States. Over the last thirty years the number of youths registered with US youth soccer programs has increased by 90%. Unfortunately, recent studies suggest that injury rates in youth soccer are also increasing. Injury identification, early diagnosis, and treatment can keep kids playing the sport they love.
Traumatic Injuries
The majority of injuries among youth soccer players involve the lower extremity. Studies show that 46.2% of all injuries result from player-to-player collisions. The severity of these injuries can vary from minor contusions and muscle sprains to more severe injuries like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears OR meniscus tears that require surgery.
Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries are also common in soccer. Stress fractures and shin splints but can occur when the bone becomes irritated or weak from overuse. These present with the gradual onset of pain in the shin bone that worsens over time. Patellar tendinitis is also very common. This presents with pain around the kneecap during activity.
When to Get A Consultation
It is often difficult to distinguish minor injuries from severe ones that may need surgery. If pain or severe swelling develops in any part of your lower extremity and does not improve after a few weeks of rest and anti-inflammatory medication or the pain limits the ability to walk. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon should be consulted to identify the cause of pain, establish a diagnosis, and provide early treatment options so that your kids can stay healthy and continue playing the sport they love.
Accidents still happen, even the best athletes can get injured. Our physicians are here to help you recover quickly and get you back in the game.
It is important to take your child to a pediatric specialist, who are experts in treating only kids. At Children’s Orthopaedic and Scoliosis Surgery Associates, LLP our board certified, fellowship trained, specialists provide the best child-friendly care using the latest cutting-edge technology that results in the safest and most accurate outcomes. If you suspect your child has a soccer injury, please call our office at (727) 898-2663.
Medically Reviewed by Drew E. Warnick, MD, Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
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