There are roughly 3.5 million sports-related injuries every year, and nearly a third of all damages incurred during childhood are sports-related. Contact sports like soccer and rugby have more wounds than noncontact sports like swimming. If you are an athletic teen, chances are they will suffer all manner of injuries on the field, like tearing their Achilles heel. If you are searching for an achilles tendon in Westfield specialist to help with your problem, look no further than Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine.
Below are common sports injuries to watch out for when raising an athletic teen.
Fractures
Fractures in the arms, feet, and legs are common in contact sports, and they can trigger extreme pain and make the limb nonfunctional. Some fractures are so intense that only surgery can set the bone right, followed by physiotherapy sessions.
If your teen enjoys contact sports like football, have them wear appropriate padding to reduce the risk of fractures. They should also work out often to keep their muscles sturdy and flexible and follow suitable exercise routines as instructed by their coach. Address any pain instead of ignoring it, as this could make the affected bone prone to fractures.
Achilles Tendon Rupture
The Achilles tendon is a thin but sturdy ligament at the back of your ankle. This tendon links the calf muscles to your heel, making it the largest tendon in the human body. This ligament can rupture during contact sports or any other strenuous sporting activity like running for many miles. When this happens, the person experiences sharp pain and can barely walk.
Apart from sporting injuries, the Achilles tendon can suffer damage during strenuous exercise, when you work out on uneven surfaces, or you have chronic ailments that could weaken your tendon, such as lupus. Whatever the cause, it is vital that you seek medical attention immediately to ward off problems like non-insertional and insertional tendonitis.
Concussion
A concussion happens after a sudden impact on the head that makes the brain move inside the skull. In extreme cases, the tissues holding the brain matter in place suffer irreversible damage. An athlete can suffer mild concussions where they experience headaches or concussions so severely that dizziness ensues.
When this happens, see a spine-and-brain specialist for testing and diagnosis. If there is no severe injury, the concussion will heal with rest within a few weeks, and in extreme cases, the physician will recommend surgery. Implore your teen to wear protective headgear when playing hockey, cycling, or participating in any other contact sports.
Strain
A pull or twist in your tendons or muscles is called a strain. Injuries can arise from over-stretching or over-contractions during exercise or sporting activity. Common signs of a strain include pain, body weakness, and muscle spasm.
Sporting injuries are prevalent even when the athlete takes relevant precautions. Do not allow your teenager to play while in pain; consult an orthopedic or spine specialist for tests and diagnosis. The recovery journey may take a while, so patience is vital even by staying off the team.