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As kids begin to play sports, parents should be aware of potential red flags—whether their child is a varsity athlete or simply enjoys a round of recreational tennis. It is important to recognize injuries involving the shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. In their rush and excitement to play, kids sometimes downplay minor injuries that can lead to more serious problems such as stress fractures, tendinitis, and muscle strains. They often don’t understand that pushing through pain can exacerbate issues, such as when a mildly injured joint fails under more strenuous use or when overworking a muscle causes a cartilage tear.
It’s not uncommon for kids to experience growing pains, but when pain or swelling begins to interfere with normal activities—such as an inability to move a joint or the sensation that a joint is “stuck”—these are signs that the injury requires further evaluation.
Ready, Set, Condition
“The most important aspect of playing sports is conditioning. Kids should engage in proper strength programs—warm-up, cool-down, and stretching routines—before and after playing,” advises Dr. Eric Fornari, Co-Director of Pediatric Orthopedics and Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Montefiore Einstein. Conditioning programs implemented before the start of a season are known to reduce the incidence of ACL tears on a soccer team throughout the year. Proper nutrition can also prevent stress injuries and fractures. A healthy diet helps young athletes maintain lean tissue, manage their weight, and support healthy bodies.
No matter the sport or activity, every child needs to build a strong core with exercises, such as scissor kicks, crunches, and hip lifts to enhance balance and strength throughout the body. They need to develop stamina to participate fully for the entire season. Weight training—using machines or free weights—resistance bands, push-ups, and crab walking can effectively improve kids' overall fitness and help prevent injuries. Of course, children should be supervised to ensure they are using any equipment correctly.
Psychological Component to Treatment
It is vital to recognize that an injury may lead to psychological issues. Pediatric orthopedists can assist patients in addressing these psychosocial challenges. “A patient’s mental state can significantly influence their recovery and often determines how well the patient responds to specific orthopedic treatments or how much physical therapy they engage in,” says Dr. Fornari. “Sometimes, that’s 80% of our job. If an injury sidelines a patient for weeks, months, or even a year, that break can leave them feeling isolated, scared, anxious, or depressed.” Engaging kids in their treatment and healing requires doctors, coaches, and parents to ask the right questions about how the injury is affecting their interactions with friends and teammates, as well as how the students are managing school—for instance, inquiring whether an elevator is available for them to use and strategizing solutions if it isn’t.
Treatment Options
If a parent or coach has concerns but isn’t sure where to begin, they can consult with a pediatric orthopedist to better understand how to distinguish between different types of aches and pains. They can help identify concerning signs and symptoms and emphasize the importance of cross-training, utilizing different muscles at different times while taking rest days. A doctor’s expertise is especially valuable here, as understanding the unique aspects of pediatric anatomy is critical to growth and development. By recognizing these and other pediatric distinctions, doctors and parents can work together to help kids achieve the best possible outcomes and prevent future injuries.
Local Access to Internationally Renowned Pediatric Orthopedics at Montefiore Einstein
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Spine and Orthopedic Center in West Nyack, NY, offers Pediatric Orthopedic services in Rockland County, making it easier for families in the region to access care closer to home.
Learn more about Pediatric Orthopedics at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Spine and Orthopedic Center here. If your child is injured or needs evaluation, please call 845-358-1000.
