Sports Injury Prevention

Sports Injury Prevention

More American children are competing in sports than ever before. Sports help children and adolescents keep their bodies fit and feel good about themselves. However, there are some important injury prevention tips that can help promote a safe and optimal sports experience.

Injury Risks

All sports have a risk of injury. Fortunately, for the vast majority of youth, the benefits of sports participation outweigh the risks. In general, the more contact in a sport, the greater the risk of a traumatic injury. However, most injuries in young athletes are due to overuse.

The most frequent types of sports injuries are:

• sprains (injuries to ligaments)

• strains (injuries to muscles)

• stress fractures (injuries to bones).

Sprains

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAb2nqxeP8Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jps5SZlTdo

This week

• Strains and Sprains Are a Pain

• Five Ways to Avoid Sports Injuries 

• Final Quiz or Treatment Plan

An ankle sprain is when the ligaments that support the ankle get overly stretched or torn.

It can happen when you step in a hole, twist your ankle while walking or running, or put your weight down on your foot awkwardly.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain?

• pain

• soreness

• swelling

• trouble bearing weight or walking on the ankle

• bruising

To diagnose ankle sprains, doctors ask about the injury and do an exam. They'll check the bones and soft tissue of the ankle, watch the person's range of motion, and do strength tests.

Sometimes, the doctor may order an X-ray or other imaging study to see if there are other injuries, such as a broken bone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAb2nqxeP8Q

How Are Ankle Sprains Treated?

• protecting the ankle by taping, wearing a lace-up ankle brace, or ankle splint

• rest 10–14 days to prevent reinjury and limit swelling.

• ice wrapped in a towel placed on the area for about 20 minutes every 1–2 hours

• raising the injured area

• before returning to activity, strengthening exercises

Treatment Plan Part 1 of 3

Select a sport and an injury.

Cheat Sheet

• Stretch regularly to keep your ankles flexible.

• Always warm up before playing sports, exercising, or doing any other kind of physical activity.

• Use tape, lace-up ankle braces, or high-top shoes to support the ankle.