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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.

Does my child need surgery to fix an ACL tear?

Does my child need surgery to fix an ACL tear?

by | Jul 30, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, continue to challenge young athletes, many calling it an epidemic. Because of the high cost of care and loss of playing time, Scottish Rite for Children’s Sports Medicine team is actively looking for answers to prevent these injuries. As we study the conditions that may contribute to the risk with programs like the Sports-specific Assessment and Functional Evaluation (SAFE) program, we also continue to evaluate and contribute to the available evidence for caring for ACL injuries in young athletes.

Medical director of clinical research and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Henry B. Ellis, M.D., led a multicenter team including others from the Scottish Rite Sports Medicine team just published a critical analysis of the literature pertaining to the management of pediatric ACL injuries. The article is available on the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgeries (JBJS) Reviews site.

Here are some key messages you should know when considering surgery for an ACL tear:

» Even though these are happening at a high rate, there is very little published evidence for managing ACL injury in a pediatric or skeletally immature case.

Studies suggest that as many as 3 out of 4 athletes return to play after completing a nonoperative plan of care after ACL injury, but there are times that surgery is necessary. A physical therapist or athletic trainer can guide rehabilitation with a comprehensive exercise program to prepare an athlete to return to competitive sports with an ACL tear.

» This review suggests that surgery for an ACL reconstruction is recommended when another condition is present. These include:

  • Repairable injury to the cartilage, soft tissue that covers the surface of the bone.
  • Repairable injury to the meniscus, a disc between the two major bones in the knee joint.
  • Symptoms of instability even after high quality rehabilitation.

Since both paths for care can be successful and come with some risk, a decision for surgical or nonsurgical approaches to care for a pediatric ACL reconstruction should include a broad team considering many aspects of the circumstances.

Learn more about individualized care for ACL injuries at Scottish Rite for Children.
 

Ellis, H. B., Jr, Zak, T. K., Jamnik, A., Lind, D. R. G., Dabis, J., Losito, M., Wilson, P., & Moatshe, G. (2023). Management of Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Critical Analysis. JBJS reviews, 11(8), 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.22.00223. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.RVW.22.00223

Scottish Rite Is Advancing the Use of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Pediatric Orthopedics and Beyond

Scottish Rite Is Advancing the Use of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Pediatric Orthopedics and Beyond

by | Feb 12, 2024 | Research & Innovation

In many practices, musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK US) is housed solely in radiology. At Scottish Rite for Children, we are fortunate to also have two practitioners with advanced training and certification in using this tool in clinic. Sports medicine physician Jacob C. Jones, M.D., RMSK, and rheumatology practitioner Heather Benham, D.N.P., APRN, CPNP-PC, RHMSUS, use ultrasound to diagnose and treat patients for a variety of conditions.

Together, Jones and Benham have developed a comprehensive course to teach health care professionals the fundamentals of MSK US. Their extensive ultrasound backgrounds and genuine interest in teaching have come together to produce an impactful experience for the attendees.

More than 70 participants from professions including orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, orthopedic and emergency medicine fellows, physical therapists, advanced practice providers and research personnel have completed the program. Traveling from more than 15 states and two countries, the attendees have all indicated they would be interested in returning for an advanced course and many have referred others to the program.

There are several elements that make this program one-of-a-kind.

  • All faculty have expertise in the use of MSK US in pediatrics.
  • Guest faculty are invited from institutions such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital.
  • Pediatric models participate in the scanning sessions.
  • Injection sessions integrate a variety of tools including custom-made joint models.
  • Didactic and scanning sessions alternate throughout the day.

Jones and Benham look forward to developing an advanced course to offer in conjunction with the fundamentals course. Join our wait list to hear about it first!

What to Expect If Your Child Has a Stress Fracture

What to Expect If Your Child Has a Stress Fracture

by | Jan 8, 2024 | Sports Medicine

If you have a young athlete in the family, you probably know that bumps and bruises are part of the game. A more severe injury, like a stress fracture, however, can be worrisome for any parent. Being informed about the nature of stress fractures and how to help your child heal can ease your mind.

What Causes Stress Fractures in Kids?

A stress fracture, sometimes called a hairline fracture, is a tiny crack in a bone caused by physical stress. This type of injury often occurs when a specific muscle or joint is overused or strained, known as an overuse injury.

Stress fractures commonly occur when a child performs the same movements over and over again, for example, running, jumping or throwing a ball.

Telltale Signs of a Stress Fracture 

Stress fractures develop over time, and one of the first signs you may notice is your child frequently complaining of pain after playing or practicing their sport. 

Your child may experience other symptoms, including:

●      Pain during exercise that doesn’t always go away with rest

●      Redness

●      Swelling

●      Tenderness

Swelling or bruising may develop around the bone in the early stages of the injury when it’s considered a “bone stress reaction.” As the injury worsens, it develops into a stress fracture, causing a crack or tiny break in the bone.

Stress Fractures Commonly Seen in Kids

Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones in the legs and feet, including the tibia bone (shinbone). However, young athletes can experience stress fractures in many other parts of the body. 

Gymnasts, for example, can develop stress fractures in the wrist, while softball and baseball pitchers may experience stress fractures in the arms or shoulders. Stress fractures affecting the lower extremities are common in nearly all sports since most activities place stress on the legs and feet. Rarely, stress fractures can develop in the spine or ribs.

How Are Stress Fractures in Kids Diagnosed and Treated?

If your child has symptoms of a stress fracture, check in with a medical provider. A sports medicine specialist can help determine the cause of your child’s discomfort and provide a treatment plan.

To diagnose an injury, the provider will first gather your child’s medical history and then conduct a physical examination, focusing on the area of discomfort. If the provider suspects a stress fracture, he or she may order imaging tests, such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI, to confirm a diagnosis.

The primary treatment for a stress fracture is rest. Because the injury is most often the result of overuse of a bone and the surrounding muscles, taking the stress and strain off that part of the body is essential. Your child should take a break from activity, and if the injury is in the lower body, your child may also need to wear a boot or use crutches to take weight off the injured bone.

In rare cases, bones that don’t heal after a long period may require surgery to heal correctly.

Prevention 101

To reduce the risk of a stress fracture, have your child avoid repetitive movements as much as possible. Also, encourage cross-training. Having your young athlete do activities that require different muscles and movements not only limits stress on a single joint, but it can also strengthen other muscles and improve their performance in their primary sport.

You can also help your child prevent stress fractures by having them prioritize rest between games and practices, using proper sport-specific equipment and eating a balanced diet rich in vitamin D and calcium. Finally, teach your child never to play through pain.

Think your child may have a stress fracture? Call 469-515-7100 to schedule an appointment with one of Scottish Rite for Children’s sports medicine specialists.

Sports Medicine Year in Review

Sports Medicine Year in Review

by | Jan 8, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center has had an exciting year! We celebrated our fifth birthday in the beautiful facility where we serve children with a variety of pediatric orthopedic needs requiring all levels of care from observation to complex reconstructive surgery. Our mission is often described having three elements, clinical care, teaching and research. Together, they provide a rich experience for patients and trainees and help to define pediatric orthopedics across the world.

Here are a few updates from the Sports Medicine team.

CLINICAL CARE
In the sports medicine clinic, we see more than 16,000 visits each year, and that number continues to grow. Recognized again for excellence in patient experience, our team focuses on educating the patients and families and providing outstanding care so that patients have the outcome they desire. Our work to integrate screening for psychological and nutritional needs help our patients succeed in their rehabilitation and return to sport efforts.

TEACHING
Pediatric sports medicine is a relatively new subspecialty in pediatric orthopedics. In fact, only a handful of organizations have an ACGME-accredited* fellowship program focused on this area. We are very excited to share that we are currently in the process of selecting our first fellow to join our team in 2024. This year-long training program offers a sports medicine surgeon the opportunity to train alongside our experts in the clinic, on the sidelines and in the operating room. In the past year, we had 13 orthopedic residents rotate through our clinic to learn about care and research in pediatric sports medicine.

RESEARCH
This year, our team published more than 20 articles in prestigious medical journals. Many authored by our medical staff and trainees and others were collaboration with peers in the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM) Society. Here are findings that are being presented at national and international conferences and have the potential to change sports medicine in the areas of diagnostics, clinical care, return-to-sport decision making and injury prevention.

The Sports Medicine team is presenting results from more than 25 projects at a national meeting for the PRiSM Society in January. This work is made possible by our patients, national grants, generous donors and many student trainees learning about pediatric orthopedics and sports medicine.
Learn how healthy athletes can volunteer for a study or you can donate.
 
* The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) is the accrediting body for graduate medical education. They hold programs to standards that prepare physicians in nearly 200 specialties.