Be Cautious of Repetitive Overuse Injuries in Youth July 25, 2024 Engaging in sports is a good way for children and teens to stay fit and develop social connections. However, their growing bones make them more susceptible to injury, particularly when muscles are repeatedly overused to the point of pain and inflammation. “During episodes of growth in children and adolescents, it is not uncommon for the lengthening of a bone to outpace growth of related muscles and tendons. This irregular growth rate can leave muscles and tendons tight and inflexible and more susceptible to injury,” said James Pash, DO, of Mid-Valley Children’s Clinic. When a muscle group, such as those of the shoulder, knee, wrist or finger, are repeatedly used without proper stretching or adequate rest, injury can occur. “We see repetitive overuse injuries most often in young athletes who are repeatedly using muscles specific to their sport, such as shoulder injuries in swimmers or knee injuries in runners, but these injuries can also affect musicians and gamers — anyone really,” Dr. Pash explained. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, throbbing or numbness at the area of the overworked muscles. “Overused and inflamed muscles need rest. Without rest, the inflammation builds up and can lead to more serious injuries like a tear or fracture,” said Dr. Pash. These injuries can occur when a person trains too much or uses improper training techniques. “Parents should make sure their child’s coaches are training them gradually and teaching proper stretching techniques with warmups and cool-downs, icing muscles after activity, and stressing the importance of taking time off each week from training for the body to rest and recover,” noted Dr. Pash. Additionally, cross-training can help strengthen muscle throughout the body. “It is not a good idea for a child to specialize in only one sport before high school,” Dr. Pash explained. “Participation in multiple activities strengthens and develops more of the body’s muscles, whereas only one sport tends to develop muscles specific to that activity. With broader conditioning, a child will be at less risk of repetitive injuries.” Talk with your child’s health care provider if you have concerns about repetitive strain injury. James Pash, DO, see patients at Mid-Valley Children’s Clinic. He can be reached at 541-812-5111.
