Knee Injuries in Young Athletes

Knee injuries in young athletes are becoming more and more common in our practice. We see figure skaters, hockey players, soccer players, and others who suffer from both overuse and traumatic injuries. About half of all injuries are caused by overuse and are preventable.

Because young athletes are still growing, they are at a greater risk for injury than adults. The consequences of overdoing a sport can include injuries that impair growth, and can lead to long-term health problems.

Fortunately, many youth sports injuries can be prevented. Some of the more effective ways to prevent these injuries include age-specific coaching, appropriate physical conditioning, and proper use of equipment.

To keep athletes in the game long-term, overuse injuries need to be diagnosed and treated by a physician as soon as possible. Parents and coaches should be aware of the more common signs of overuse injury. These include:

• Pain. This pain cannot be tied to an acute injury, such as from a fall. The pain often increases with activity.
• Swelling
• Changes in form or technique
• Decreased interest in practice

In a young athlete’s musculoskeletal system, pain from repetitive motion may appear somewhere besides the actual site of the injury. For instance, a knee ache in a child or adolescent may actually be pain caused by an injury to the hip.

Whether an injury is acute or due to overuse, a child who develops a symptom that persists or that affects his or her athletic performance should be examined by a doctor. A child should never be allowed to “work through the pain.”

It’s our mission to keep kids active and healthy. Stayed tuned for more tips on keeping young athletes safe in sports.