Overuse Injuries
An increasing number of boys and girls are playing recreational and organized sports.
As a result, there is a rise in the number of overuse injuries seen among children
and adolescents. Most sports and overuse injuries are due to minor trauma involving
soft tissue injuries — injuries that affect the bone, muscles, ligaments, or tendons.
What are the most common types of overuse injuries?
Type of overuse injury
|
Symptoms
|
Possible cause
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Jumper's knee (patellar tendonitis)
|
Tenderness right below the knee or the upper shin area
|
The patellar tendon in the knee joint is repeatedly pulled on, causing inflammation
and pain, especially during jumping activities.
|
Little Leaguers' elbow or shoulder
|
Pain in the elbow or shoulder area, especially after activity
|
Repetitive overhead throwing maneuvers that cause damage and inflammation to the growth
plates of the bones in the arm (or as a result of a fracture).
|
Osteochondritis dissecans
|
Knee pain and swelling. This condition can also cause elbow pain similar to Little
Leaguers' elbow.
|
A piece of the cartilage in the knee joint that separates from the joint surface.
Theories suggest that it may run in families or be caused by a metabolic problem.
|
Sever's disease
|
Heel pain with limping, especially after running activities
|
Repetitive running or jumping activities causes the Achilles tendon to pull on the
heel bone.
|
Shin splints
|
Pain and tenderness over the shin area
|
Excessive running, running on hard surfaces (concrete), and improper shoe wear often
cause shin splints.
|
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease
|
Knee pain, especially after jumping activities
|
This disease is caused by an irritation of the kneecap due to repetitive extension
on the patellar tendon in the knee (the tendon pulls away from the bone).
|
Spondylolisthesis
|
Back pain
|
This condition is caused by excessive flexion and extension of the low back. X-rays
show that a part of 1 vertebra in the low back slips forward on the vertebrae below
it. It is commonly seen in football linemen, gymnasts, and ice skaters.
|
Spondylolysis
|
Back pain
|
This condition is caused by excessive flexion and extension of the lower back. It
is commonly seen in football linemen, gymnasts, and ice skaters. A stress fracture
of 1 of the vertebrae is seen on X-ray.
|
Overuse injuries can also lead to stress fractures. Stress fractures are weak spots
or small cracks in the bone caused by continuous overuse. Stress fractures often occur
in the foot after training for basketball, running, and other sports. There usually
is no swelling, but pain and tenderness often increase during movement.
Treatment of an overuse injury
The goal of treatment is to control the pain, promote healing, prevent complications,
and restore normal use of the injured area.
Initial treatment for overuse injuries includes R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression,
and elevation).
Be sure to consult your child's doctor if there is a prolonged, visible deformity
of the affected area, or if severe pain prevents use of the arm, leg, wrist, ankle,
or knee.
Other treatment options may include:
-
Medicine
-
Activity restrictions
-
Splint or cast
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Crutches or wheelchair
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Physical therapy (to stretch and strengthen the injured muscles, ligaments, and tendons)
-
Surgery (especially if the injury is reoccurring, there is persistent pain, or if
a muscle, tendon, or ligament is badly torn)
Long-term outlook for children with overuse injuries
Overuse injuries heal quite quickly in children. It is important that the child adhere
to the activity restrictions and/or stretching and strengthening rehabilitation programs
to prevent reinjury.
Most sports injuries are due to either traumatic injury or overuse of muscles or joints.
Many sports injuries can be prevented with proper conditioning and training, wearing
appropriate protective gear, and using proper equipment.