Orthopedic Care for Young Athletes: Injury Prevention and Recovery

Young girl sitting and smiling with a soccer ball, wearing a medal around her neck, and showing a slight injury on her leg. Text reads: Orthopedic Care for Young Athletes. Learn about orthopedic care and injury prevention for young athletes. Monadnock Community Hospital logo at the bottom

Dr Shawn P Harrington
Dr Shawn P Harrington

Young athletes face a unique set of challenges and risks when it comes to sports injuries. Growth and immature skeletons can make younger athletes more vulnerable to a special set of injury types. Providing children and teens with the right orthopedic care and injury prevention strategies is crucial for their long-term health and development. This blog discusses the importance of orthopedic care for young athletes and how to keep them safe and healthy.

Musculoskeletal injuries are the most common injuries in youth sports. Children of the same chronological age may vary considerably in biological maturity which can create unbalanced competition in team as well as one on one sports.

Lower limbs are more frequently involved and injuries during practice are nearly 3x more common than during competition.

Common Injuries in Young Athletes:

  • Growth Plate Injuries: Injuries to the more fragile growing ends of bones can affect bone development and require special care in order to heal correctly without deformity.
  • Overuse Injuries: Repeated stress on bones and muscles can lead to conditions such as stress fractures, chronic muscle pain and soreness that can adversely affect performance. An imbalance between strength and flexibility can contribute to higher risk in this age group.
  • Concussions: Head injuries from contact sports are a significant concern and require immediate attention.

Preventive Measures:

  • Proper Training: Ensure young athletes receive proper training and guidance on how to avoid injuries. Coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists and gym trainers are vitally important.
  • Appropriate Equipment: Use age-appropriate and sports-specific protective gear such as helmets, elbow and knee pads, and mouth guards to minimize the risk of injury.
  • Balanced Activity: Encourage a variety of activities to prevent overuse injuries and promote overall physical development, balance and skills. The best athletes are often those who participate in a wide variety of activities and don’t ‘specialize’ in one sport too soon in development.

Orthopedic Care:

At Monadnock Orthopaedic Associates, we specialize in pediatric and young adult orthopedic and rehabilitative care. From injury prevention to treatment and rehabilitation, our team is dedicated to helping your child stay healthy and active.

Sports-Specific Movement Training and Outdoor Physical Therapy:

outdoor physical therapy space green turf with MCH logo in center

Our rehabilitation department provides specialized sports-specific movement training to help young athletes improve their performance and reduce the risk of injury. Utilizing our state-of-the-art outdoor physical therapy space, we offer a dynamic environment where athletes can engage in activities that mimic their sports’ real-life movements. This setting is ideal for enhancing strength, flexibility, and coordination, which are essential for injury prevention and overall athletic performance.

Supporting young athletes with the right orthopedic care is essential for their growth and success in sports. Contact us today to learn more about our pediatric orthopedic services and how we can help keep your child safe and healthy.

Stay well,

Dr. Shawn P. Harrington, MD, FAAPMR

Dr Shawn P Harrington

Graphic titled 'Orthopedic Care for Young Athletes: Injury Prevention and Recovery' with the Monadnock Orthopaedic Associates logo at the top. The graphic lists key points: Injury Prevention, Proper Training, Sports-Specific Movement, Balanced Activities, Use Appropriate Equipment, Hydration and Nutrition, Rehabilitation and Recovery, Pediatric Orthopedic Care. The background shows a tree canopy under a clear sky, with a web address Blog.MonadnockOrtho.org and hashtag #MCHOrtho at the bottom

 

Why Choose Monadnock Orthopaedic Associates?

Our board-certified specialists combine decades of experience with training from prestigious institutions like the Mayo Clinic. We offer comprehensive orthopedic care using advanced techniques and technology, all while providing personalized attention. At Monadnock Orthopaedic Associates, we’re committed to getting you back to pain-free living as quickly as possible with expert, compassionate care tailored to your unique needs. Choose us for expert care that’s close to home, where your well-being is our highest priority.

Monadnock Orthopaedic Associates

Monadnock Community Hospital
Bond Wellness Center Suite 200
458 Old Street Road
Peterborough, NH 03458
Phone: 603-924-2144
Fax: 603-924-3993