PEDIATRIC SPORT INJURIES

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

How Does a Parent Identify a Sports Injury for Her Child

Recognizing a sports injury in a child is crucial for early intervention and proper treatment. Here are some signs and symptoms that parents can look for to identify a potential sports injury in their child:

• Pain or discomfort: Children may complain of pain or discomfort during or after physical activity.
• Swelling: Swelling may occur at the site of an injury, especially in areas such as the ankle, knee, or wrist.
• Visible Deformity: A noticeable deformity or misalignment of the affected area.
• Bruising: Bruising can indicate a sign of a traumatic injury, such as a contusion or a bone bruise.
• Limping: Limping may indicate pain or discomfort in the leg, knee, ankle, or foot.
• Decreased range of motion: The child may have difficulty moving a joint or limb due to pain or stiffness.
• Weakness: A child may feel weak or have difficulty performing movements that were once easy.
• Loss of function: A child may have trouble performing normal activities, such as running, jumping, or catching a ball.
• Audible Pop or Snap: sometimes, a sports injury is accompanied by an audible pop or snap at the time of injury

What Should a Parent Do When Their Child Shows the Symptoms of a Sports Injury

When a child shows symptoms of a sports injury, a parent should take the following steps:

• Remove the child from the activity or sport to prevent further injury
• Rest and ice the affected area: This will help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
• Compress the area with a bandage or wrap to reduce swelling
• Elevate the affected limb to reduce blood flow and swelling
• Consult a doctor: A healthcare professional can diagnose the injury, rule out any serious conditions, and recommend the appropriate treatment.
• Follow the doctor’s instructions: This may include rest, physical therapy, and medications.
• Take preventive measures: This can include proper warm-up and stretch, appropriate use of protective gear, and appropriate training and conditioning.

It’s important to take sports injuries seriously and to seek prompt medical attention, as untreated injuries can lead to long-term problems and complications.

Parents are understandably concerned about the potential long-term consequences of a sports injury on their child’s physical development. The doctor can discuss the expected recovery trajectory and any potential lingering effects of the injury. In many cases, with proper treatment and rehabilitation, children can make a full recovery and continue to participate in sports. However, the doctor will provide guidance on any necessary precautions or adjustments.  Especially, those that may help to ensure the child’s long-term well-being and sports performance.

It’s essential for parents to maintain open communication with their child’s doctor and follow their advice and recommendations. Each sports injury is unique, and the treatment and recovery plan will tailor to the child’s specific condition and needs.

Common Knee Injuries in Young Athletes

In addition to the above, several knee conditions are frequently seen in children who participate in sports:

• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD): This condition affects the cartilage and underlying bone at the end of the femur, often due to repeated micro-trauma. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and sometimes mechanical issues in the knee. While most children recover fully with rest and activity modification over several months, more severe cases may require surgical intervention to secure any loose bone fragments.
• Discoid meniscus: Some children are born with a disc-shaped meniscus (the cartilage pad in the knee) instead of the usual C-shape. Many experience no symptoms, but in cases where there is pain, stiffness, or locking, minimally invasive surgery may reshape or stabilize the meniscus.
• ACL injuries: Tears or avulsions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are often linked to sports involving sudden pivots, think soccer, basketball, football, and skiing. These injuries can present differently in children than adults: sometimes the ligament pulls away a small piece of bone from its attachment, rather than tearing in the middle. Treatment may include minimally invasive surgery, followed by targeted rehabilitation. Strengthening the quadriceps and hamstring muscles is key for both recovery and prevention.

These injuries, along with the three below, are all important considerations when evaluating pediatric sports injuries:

• Heat-related illnesses: such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Growth plate injuries: which are common in skeletally immature athletes
• Dental injuries: from contact with hard surfaces or other players

The good news is that when such injuries are identified early and managed properly, most children recover fully without lasting disability. In cases where surgery becomes necessary, doctors are now performing them arthroscopically, using minimally invasive techniques that promote faster recovery and less discomfort.

Recognizing these risks and seeking prompt care ensures that young athletes can safely return to the activities they love.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears in Children

An ACL tear refers to an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament, a key structure that helps keep the knee stable—especially during activities that involve sudden stops or changes in direction. Sports like soccer, basketball, lacrosse, football, field hockey, and skiing are common culprits due to their frequent pivoting and cutting maneuvers.

The way ACL injuries show up in children differs from adults. While adults typically experience a tear in the ligament itself, children—whose bones are still growing—can sometimes have the ligament pull off a small piece of bone where it attaches to the tibia. This is known as a tibial spine or tibial eminence fracture.

These pediatric injuries often need minimally invasive surgery to reattach the bone fragment and restore normal knee function. With prompt and proper care, most young athletes can expect a good recovery and a return to their favorite activities. Gender can also play a role: Female athletes have a higher risk, likely due to natural differences in anatomy and movement patterns.

Strengthening exercises play an important role in protecting young athletes from ACL injuries. Focused routines that target the quadriceps and hamstring muscles help support and stabilize the knee joint, making it less vulnerable during activities that involve jumping, cutting, or sudden changes in direction.

By improving muscle strength and balance, these exercises enhance joint stability and control. Many sports medicine experts recommend incorporating specific drills—such as lunges, squats, and agility exercises—into regular training. Programs developed by organizations like the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and Stop Sports Injuries™ often include these types of exercises to help athletes build strength and coordination, lowering their risk of ACL injuries on the field or court.

Why Are ACL Injuries More Common in Female Athletes?

Female athletes tend to experience ACL injuries at a higher rate compared to their male counterparts. This difference can trace back to a few key factors:

• Anatomical differences: The structure of the female knee, including a wider pelvis and a greater angle where the femur meets the tibia, can put additional stress on the ACL.
• Movement mechanics: Females often land from jumps and pivot in ways that increase strain on the knee joint.
• Muscle strength and control: Relative differences in muscle strength, as well as how certain muscle groups activate during intense movement, may make it harder for the knee to stay stable.

Awareness of these factors can help coaches, athletes, and parents focus on injury prevention strategies tailored to the individual needs of young athletes

Growth Plate Injuries: A Special Consideration

These injuries affect the areas at the ends of long bones, where growth occurs until a child reaches maturity. Growth plates contain less calcium than adult bone, making them appear different on routine X-rays and sometimes causing fractures to be overlooked at first glance. As a result, additional imaging, such as MRI or ultrasound, may substantiate an accurate diagnosis.

Certain growth plate injuries, like tri-plane fractures of the ankle, are unique to adolescents and can easily be mistaken for a simple sprain. Prompt attention is vital, as some growth plate fractures may require surgery, while others can be managed with less invasive treatments. If not properly identified and treated, these injuries can lead to deformity or altered growth of the affected joint.

Tri-Plane Fractures: What Parents Need to Know

Tri-plane fractures are a particular type of ankle injury that occurs almost exclusively in adolescents. This fracture affects the growth plate—the area of developing tissue near the ends of long bones—and is unique because it spans across three planes of the bone, making it more complex than a simple break or sprain.

These injuries can sometimes be mistaken for a bad ankle sprain, but they are more serious and require swift evaluation. Because the growth plate is still “open” in teenagers, damage here can potentially affect future bone growth if not treated quickly. In many cases, tri-plane fractures may require surgical intervention to properly align the bones and prevent long-term problems with the ankle’s function and growth.

If your child experiences significant ankle pain, swelling, or has difficulty walking after an injury, especially during sports, it’s important to have them assessed right away by a specialist who understands pediatric orthopedic injuries. Prompt care helps ensure proper healing and reduces the risk of complications as your child grows.

How can improperly treated growth plate injuries affect a child’s bone development?

Growth plate injuries demand careful attention because these areas—where bone growth occurs—are especially vulnerable in children and teens. If a growth plate injury isn’t diagnosed promptly or treated correctly, it can lead to more than just a sore ankle or knee. Parents should know that complications from an untreated or badly healed growth plate injury may cause the bone to grow unevenly, resulting in deformity, misalignment, or even early closure of the growth plate.

For example, tri-plane fractures of the ankle, often mistaken for simple sprains in adolescents, almost always require precise intervention and, occasionally, surgery. When the growth plate around the knee or elsewhere is not allowed to heal properly, the affected bone may become shorter or crooked compared to the other side, potentially impacting a child’s future mobility and athletic participation.

Close follow-up and adherence to the treatment plan—including recommendations for rest, casting, or surgical repair—are key. By partnering with pediatric orthopedic specialists and keeping all recommended appointments, parents can help ensure their child’s bones develop normally and reduce the risk of lasting problems.

How Are Growth Plate Fractures Diagnosed in Children, and Why Are They Sometimes Hard to See on Standard X-rays?

Growth plate fractures can present a unique challenge when it comes to diagnosis. In children, the ends of their long bones—called growth plates—are still developing and contain less calcium than fully matured bones. This means that, on a standard X-ray, these areas may appear more “see-through” or simply different from surrounding bone, making certain fractures tough to spot. Sometimes, growth plate injuries might even be mistaken for simple sprains, especially in the ankle and knee.

Because of this, pediatric orthopedists often rely on additional imaging tools such as MRI or ultrasound when a fracture is suspected but isn’t clearly visible on an X-ray. These tests provide a more detailed view of both bone and soft tissue, helping doctors catch subtle injuries that could otherwise be missed.

Prompt and accurate diagnosis is critical, especially with complex fractures like triplane fractures in the ankle, which are seen in adolescents. If not managed properly, growth plate injuries can affect how the bone grows and lead to long-term issues, such as joint deformity or altered limb growth. That’s why your child’s care team will often take a thorough approach, combining their clinical exam findings with the most advanced imaging available to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Common Sports Injury Treatments for Children

The treatment for a child who incurs a sports injury will depend on the type and severity of the injury, as well as the child’s age, overall health, and other factors. However, common treatments for sports injuries in children include:

• Rest and Ice: The affected area should be rested and iced to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may be recommended to manage pain.
• Physical Therapy: This may involve exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
• Stretching and Strengthening: Stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve flexibility and prevent future injuries.
• Bracing or Splinting: A brace or splint may be recommended to stabilize the affected limb and support healing.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damaged tissues—especially if growth plates are involved.
• Rehabilitation: A rehabilitation program may be recommended to help the child return to their pre-injury level of activity.

It’s important to follow the doctor’s instructions and to seek prompt medical attention if the symptoms worsen or do not improve, to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment and to promote healing and recovery.

What is the Recovery Period for a Child who Suffers a Sports Injury

The recovery period for a child who suffers a sports injury will depend on the type and severity of the injury, as well as the child’s age, overall health, and other factors. However, some common recovery periods for sports injuries in children include:

• Sprains and Strains: Recovery can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.
• Fractures: Recovery from a fracture can take several weeks to several months, depending on the type and location of the fracture.
• Dislocations: Recovery from a dislocation can take several weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the injury.
• Concussions: Recovery from a concussion can take several days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.
• Overuse Injuries: Recovery from overuse injuries can take several weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the injury.

It’s important to follow the doctor’s instructions and to allow sufficient time for healing and recovery. Children’s bodies heal differently from adults and a child’s growing body requires a different approach to treatment and recovery. Returning to physical activity too soon can prolong the recovery period or lead to re-injury. Early recognition of growth plate injuries and individualized care tailored to the unique needs of young athletes can help ensure the best possible outcome—not just for their current recovery, but for their lifelong health and athletic potential.

Parents Should Bring Their Child with a Sports Injury to Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists for Several Reasons:

• Specialized Expertise: Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists serve children in Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX. Their pediatric orthopedic and spine specialists have deep experience diagnosing and treating children with cerebral palsy.
  They bring specialized skills and knowledge to care for children with neurological and musculoskeletal needs.

• Comprehensive Care: Medical City’s team provides comprehensive cerebral palsy care, including evaluation, diagnosis, personalized treatments, and long-term support. Their approach aims to improve each child’s mobility and enhance overall quality of life.

• Multidisciplinary Approach: Cerebral palsy care often requires collaboration among orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals. Medical City specialists coordinate closely with these experts to deliver personalized, team-based care tailored to each child’s needs.

• State-of-the-Art Facilities: The institute features advanced medical technology and modern facilities to support precise diagnoses and leading-edge treatments. Children receive care that reflects the latest medical innovations and standards.

• Compassionate Care: Pediatric specialists at Medical City understand children’s emotional and developmental needs and provide care with warmth, empathy, and respect.

• Focus on Functional Improvement: Their goal is to improve each child’s function, mobility, and independence through physical therapy, orthopedics, or surgery. Treatment plans aim to increase well-being and daily ability.

• Ongoing Support: Medical City offers continuous support to parents and caregivers throughout the child’s development.
  They ensure families have expert guidance and helpful resources to support their child’s growth and progress.

In summary

Parents can trust Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists for their child’s care due to the specialized expertise.  However, their comprehensive approach, state-of-the-art facilities, and compassionate care makes for wonderful treatment at this medical practice. Choosing a dedicated pediatric center ensures that children receive the best possible care to optimize their quality of life.

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Footnote:

National Library of Medicine: Pediatric Sports Injuries