“If they get a significant injury and they don’t treat it with respect and they don’t let it heal, they have a risk that they’re going to end up with a joint that is not stable – and is not only more susceptible to more injury every time they go to play, but is also – over time – not going to perform well for them.
”

– Dr. Mike Ziegler, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Sports can enhance the lives of kids in countless ways. But there is also a risk.

Nearly 800,000 children under the age of 15 end up in hospitals each year for sports-related injuries. And some of them, like 15-year-old Jerome, have been injured before.

Jerome was brought into the ER for a sprained ankle, or what could be a hairline fracture.

“I was playing basketball in an AAU tournament, and I came down on it wrong,” he tells the doctor.

“In Jerome’s case, it was apparent that his injury was an inversion, says Dr. Mike Ziegler, of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, “meaning that the foot had kind of turned in on itself.”

The x-rays show no broken bones. But as it turns out, Jerome has been to the ER before – and when the doctor looks at the earlier x-rays, he sees something interesting.

“Jerome had an almost identical injury, two years earlier,” says Dr. Ziegler.

Ankle sprains are one of the most common of all sports injuries.

When kids run and jump, their ankles absorb an impact equal to three times their bodyweight.
In a sprain, the ligaments are stretched, even torn.

And if they are injured often enough, or if the ligaments aren’t fully healed, kids will “have a risk that they’re going to end up with a joint that is not stable,” says Dr. Ziegler, “and is not only more susceptible to more injury, every time they go to play, but is also, over time, not going to perform well for them.”

In other words, if it’s a severe sprain and a child is active too soon, there is a chance their ankle will never be fully stable again.

In the meantime, Dr. Ziegler prescribes a treatment called RICE:

“Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation,” he says. “The ice and the elevation help to try and reduce the swelling – and may actually reduce pain by reducing the throbbing. The compression also tried to reduce swelling – although I’m not sure how effective that really is, the body does what it needs to do – and rest, as much as is needed.”

Top ˆ

• Symptoms of an ankle sprain include bruising, pain and swelling. Treatment depends on the severity of the sprain – but it may include wrapping and elevating the ankle, applying ice to reduce inflammation, physical therapy and a gradual return to walking and exercise. (University of Kentucky Healthcare)
• New studies suggest that a history of injuries and being overweight may increase the risks of ankle sprains in teen athletes. If your teen is overweight and has had an ankle injury, talk to your doctor about ways to avoid future injuries. (Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health Media)
• Sprains and strains usually heal quickly in children – but kids must obey any medically ordered restrictions on activity. They also must take part in any rehabilitation programs recommended, to prevent future injuries. (Children’s Hospital Boston)

Top ˆ

• U.S. National Library of Medicine/ National Institutes of Health
• American Physical Therapy Association
• American Academy of Family Physicians

Top ˆ