How to Help Your Kids Prevent Football Injuries

How to Help Your Kids Prevent Football Injuries

by | Aug 27, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Even as awareness of concussions and other problems has grown, football remains the most popular sport for adolescent boys. While participation has dropped, Texas still has the most high school football players of any state – totaling more than 170,000. That’s almost double the number of players in California, which has the second largest population of players. It’s no surprise that the sport remains so popular in a state known for “Friday Night Lights.” Yet while rule changes have modified risks, football injuries are still common. Scottish Rite for Children has advice to help your kids avoid some of these common sport injury problems.

Common Injuries in Football

Football has the highest injury rate among school sports. Most youth sports injuries are muscle, joint or bone injuries including:

Other common injuries in football are concussions and heat-related injuries, such as dehydration and exertional heat stroke.

Protective Equipment Is Key

Tackle football players wear pads for a reason. If your child is playing on a team that does not have the resources of a varsity-level squad, make sure they practice with the correct gear including:

  • Properly fitting helmet approved by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment
  • Leg (thigh and knee) pads
  • Mouthguards
  • Cleats that are the correct size and fit
  • Shoulder pads
  • Protective cups

Some players may also wrap their wrists, ankles or knees with tape or bracing. Protective braces (i.e. knee brace or ankle brace) may decrease the risk of injury in some athletes. However, custom outer knee braces have not yet been proven to lower injury outcomes.

Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect

Proper training may also reduce injury risk. While your child’s coach determines what happens at practices, you can help your child learn ways to reduce the risk of football injuries all year long by:

  • Encouraging moderate off-season conditioning. Staying in shape throughout the year with cardiovascular exercise and strength training is great for your child’s health overall and may reduce the risk of injuries when they head back to the field.
  • Getting a physical. A pre-season assessment by your child’s pediatrician or sports medicine specialist can ensure that your child is healthy enough to play and raise any areas of opportunity for addressing musculoskeletal complaints before training begins.
  • Promoting hydration. Not only does proper hydration help prevent heat-related injuries, it’s also important for peak performance and maintaining a proper tackling technique. 

Encouraging your child to play different sports during the offseason can also help prevent overuse injuries while keeping them active and conditioned. Playing multiple sports has been shown to be associated with improved performance and reduced injury risk.

What About Concussions?

Whether your kids are linemen or quarterbacks, concussions are a risk during games and practice. Although some full contact drills have been banned from youth practice to reduce concussion risk, 63% of concussions in high school football players do happen from tackling, even during practice. Helmets do not prevent concussions, regardless if they are the best rated helmets on the market. Delaying tackling until the age of 14 is advised by some, however, there are ways to make the sport safer for young athletes. If your child is playing tackle football, make sure the coaches:

  • Limit tackling during practice.
  • Teach safe tackling tactics.
  • Remove the child from play immediately whenever a concussion is suspected.
  • Always follow established return to play guidelines after a concussion.
  • Have a doctor and/or athletic trainer on the sidelines to evaluate players during games after a possible concussion.

Talk to the Coaches

Coaches are an important part of football injury prevention. Before signing your child up for a league, ask the coaching staff questions to ensure injury prevention is part of their philosophy such as:

  • Do you encourage injured players to keep playing or take time off to recover?
  • If my child has a possible concussion, what is the protocol at the time of the injury and when it is time to return to play?
  • Does your child have their own water available?
  • How do you teach sportsmanship and fair play?
  • What type of tackles and drills do you run during practice?
  • Will practice be rescheduled or held indoors if the weather is extremely hot or severe storms are expected?

Only you can decide if a coach’s temperament and attitude toward the game is the right fit for your child — or if football is even a good option for your family. But with a proactive coaching staff, a supportive home and your sports medicine team at Scottish Rite, you can help limit the risk of a sports injury in football for your child.

Want more advice on preventing or treating football injuries for your child? Call 469-515-7100 to schedule an appointment with one of our sports medicine specialists at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center.

Do Kids Need Sports Drinks to Stay Hydrated?

Do Kids Need Sports Drinks to Stay Hydrated?

by | Aug 23, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Do Kids Need Sports Drinks to Stay Hydrated?

When your kids are out of school for the summer, you want them to have plenty to do. Day camps, sports leagues and time at the swimming pool are all great ways to keep your kids active (and off their screens). However, if your kids are outdoors in the summer heat, it’s important to ensure they stay hydrated. While sports drinks replace electrolytes lost during physical activity, they may not be the best choice for most children’s hydration. In most instances, water may be just what the doctor ordered.

Why Hydration Matters

The amount of water that makes up the body is usually within the 45-75% range. Getting enough water each day is important for your body to function properly. Drinking water regulates your body temperature, helps with digestion and brain function, and can also help prevent cavities if the water is fluoridated.

We lose water through the course of normal activities, such as breathing, urinating and sweating. During the hotter summer temperatures, drinking fluids helps keep your body from overheating by replenishing what you lose from sweating.

How Much Water Does a Child Need?

Your child’s ideal daily water intake varies depending on their age and activity level. If you’re worried your child isn’t drinking enough plain water, remember they are also getting water in other beverages, such as fruit juice and milk, and in fresh fruits and vegetables at meals.

More About Sports Drinks

Sports drinks do have some benefits. Electrolyte replacement can also be beneficial when your child is sick. However, for kids engaged in normal levels of activity, additional fluid from sports drinks may not be necessary.

Most sports drinks contain high levels of added sugar, which are beneficial for long duration games and activities where food cannot be consumed. Kids and teens not participating in these types of activities likely don’t benefit from a sports drink if they consume water with regular meals and snacks.

Sports drinks and electrolyte replacement drinks can also have high levels of sodium. In short, sports drinks are not the healthiest option for your child to consume on a daily basis, nor are they considered a requirement for adequate rehydration in children and teenagers.

Download this guide on hydration drinks from our Certified Sports Dietitian

Hydration Drinks – Choose Wisely (English)
Hydration Drinks – Choose Wisely (Spanish)

If Your Child Is Picky About Beverages

If your child only likes certain drinks or would always reach for sugary soda if given the chance, you can try different strategies to boost hydration while limiting sugar. Try these tips for staying hydrated:

  • Encourage fruit intake. Most fruits have high water content. Serving fresh fruit, such as watermelon or oranges, at meals and for snacks can improve hydration.
  • Flavor their water. Put fresh fruit or herbs in water to add flavor without calories or sugar. You can also freeze fruit in ice cube trays and toss it in fresh water to cool it down. 
  • Make reusable water bottles special. Have your child decorate water bottles with stickers. Personalized bottles are more fun to use and show off.
  • Pop in some popsicles. Pour fruit puree or a blend of low-fat or sugar-free yogurt and fruit into popsicle molds for a refreshing treat.

Signs of Heat Illness

Hydration is particularly important when exercising in hot and/or humid environments. These can increase the need for replacing carbohydrates and electrolytes with sports drinks. Proper planning and hydration can reduce the risk of consequences from dehydration. A sign of dehydration is being thirsty.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat illness and responding quickly is critical to your child’s health.

  • Weakness
  • Vomiting
  • Excessive thirst
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Light-headedness

Preventing heat illness is important for young athletes. You should call your pediatrician or seek emergency care if your child is lethargic, has a high temperature, is vomiting or complains of abdominal pain.

Find more tips for hydration and nutrition from our Certified Sports Dietitian on our sports nutrition page.

Need more advice on keeping active kids healthy? Call 469-515-7100 to schedule an appointment with a Scottish Rite for Children Sports Medicine specialist.

Get to Know our Staff: Roy Ortiz, Communications

Get to Know our Staff: Roy Ortiz, Communications

by | Aug 19, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
I am a graphic designer and photographer in the Communications department.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
I collaborate with various Scottish Rite departments to bring their great ideas to life through fun visual pieces, whether it is done through graphic design or photography.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite?
I cannot recall my first job, but I devoted many years to serving my local church. It was there that my creative skills were honed, which eventually led to awesome career opportunities.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I enjoy the fact that I get to use my creativity to help provide a memorable experience for Scottish Rite’s patients and staff.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
I often collaborate with multiple departments simultaneously to complete projects.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
The most interesting place I’ve been so far is the country of Panama.

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Since I was a child, my favorite sport to watch has been boxing.

What’s your favorite vacation memory?​
The most interesting place I have visited is Isla Mujeres, Mexico. It is a small island near Cancun. My wife and I went there for our honeymoon earlier this month. It was my first time visiting a coastal area of Mexico. I enjoyed the culture there, and it was interesting to learn about the diversity of cultures across different regions in Mexico.

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy finding humor in everything – when appropriate!

Spina Bifida Won’t Slow Sophia Down!

Spina Bifida Won’t Slow Sophia Down!

by | Aug 16, 2024 | Pediatric Developmental Disabilities

“I am just like the other kids,” 11-year-old Sophia says. “I just walk and do some things differently!”

At 18 months old, Sophia was diagnosed with spina bifida. Spina bifida is a condition that occurs before birth when a child’s spinal cord is not properly formed. This condition affects other body systems, such as the bladder, bowel and mobility in Sophia’s case. “Hearing the diagnosis of spina bifida was like a gut punch,” Katherine, Sophia’s mom, said. “It was easy to feel alone and overwhelmed, but it doesn’t have to be like that.” They re-located to Dallas and discovered the resources and supportive care Scottish Rite for Children offered spina bifida patients. “After our first appointment here, I was in tears,” Katherine says. “Sophia and our family were finally getting the support we needed.”
                                                                               
Because of its complexity, spina bifida requires a collaborative care team to help each child’s individual needs. Since 2017, Sophia has experienced care from various experts in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Orthotics and Prosthetics, Urology and Neurosurgery. “I have nothing but praise for the staff here,” Katherine says. “They are always so helpful whether it was during appointments or returning phone calls.” Sophia doesn’t mind her longer appointments either. She is always looking forward to visiting her favorite Scottish Rite staff members, like physician Richard Adams M.D., or making time to have fun on the playground.
 
Sophia faces her condition with fearless determination. Before Sophia was born, there was a high possibility that she would be wheelchair-bound for her entire life. Now, Sophia is moving around with walking devices, learning new skills and adapting her condition to swimming, riding her hoverboard and cheerleading. “She has come a long way from where we started,” Katherine says. “It would be easy for her to settle, but she wants to feel like every other kid.” Since 2022, Sophia has attended Camp TLC. As a camper, she gets to explore new experiences and make friends with other children like her. It’s clear there is no obstacle that Sophia cannot overcome!

Thanks to the unwavering support from her care team and family, Sophia can navigate life with spina bifida confidently. Katherine urges other parents with similar challenges to ask plenty of questions and seek out connections. “I would be lost without the Facebook groups and the amazing parents we’ve met,” Katherine says. “Don’t isolate yourselves; this is a small but incredibly supportive community!”

Get to Know our Staff: Maria Janeth Zayas, Radiology

Get to Know our Staff: Maria Janeth Zayas, Radiology

by | Aug 14, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
I am a radiology scheduling specialist. I assist patients with scheduling appointments and follow-up appointments, while coordinating with the schedules of nurses, radiologists and technicians.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
I work with various departments to accommodate patients needing ultrasound tests, MRIs or guided injections. I also coordinate follow-up visits between patients and our physicians.

My primary focus is delivering the best customer service in outpatient radiology care, collaborating closely with our team of doctors, therapists and radiology technicians. Top of FormBottom of Form

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite?
My first job was at a souvenir shop in a hotel in my home country, El Salvador. Since then, I have worked multiple jobs in the retail industry and will always remember that feeling of becoming financially independent. However, working in a hospital setting was always a passion of mine. After years of working at a bank, I decided to follow my dream and became a cash finance officer at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2015.

When my husband’s job brought us to Dallas, I worked as a patient access specialist for Baylor Scott & White. I was thrilled to continue my passion of working in a hospital, because I was able to help children and adults alike with their medical needs. I often passed by Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center and dreamed of working there someday. In June 2022, I was officially hired! It still is an honor to work for such a special place.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I am very lucky to be a part of the Radiology team. I value and enjoy working with my coworkers, and I learn something new from them every day. I also love the work atmosphere and the people I work with. I identify with Scottish Rite’s core values of virtue and integrity. It is truly a great place to work.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes in scheduling and rescheduling, especially with same-day appointments. This can be challenging if there are no openings.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
Hawaii. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would travel Hawaii, but I did!

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I love to watch soccer and tennis.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
I would go back to the 80s. I was a teenager and love the music, culture and vibe that came from growing up in the 80s. It was a magical decade indeed.

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
Back in my prime, I was a singer and flamenco dancer. I even performed at a famous restaurant in Miami and at a nightclub in Orlando.