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Summertime Pediatric Injuries
Written by Emily King
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Summer is finally here and our kids are so excited for that final bell to ring , signaling a start to sunny afternoons at the pool , neighborhood bike rides with friends , and summertime sports like baseball and sports camps . One thing that can really put a halt to days at the pool and other summer activities is having a broken bone and a cast .
We all want our kids to have the best summer ever , so we talked to Dr . Colleen Harriger , an orthopedic surgeon for Washington Health System Center for Orthopedic Excellence . She educated us on the most common summertime injuries she sees in children and how to prevent them .
Some of the most typical injuries she sees are overuse injuries . Summer is a time when kids might be trying out new sports or activities that their body isn ’ t used to yet . Many kids will sign up for sports camps , which are usually a week or so of intense sports training . These types of activities can result in overuse injuries and symptoms like muscle soreness , bursitis , and tendonitis .
“ The most common overuse injuries we see are around a patient ’ s knee and shoulder ,” says Dr . Harriger .
“ We see an increase in elbow and shoulder overuse injuries as the summer baseball and softball seasons begin .”
Besides overuse injuries , Dr . Harriger sees a lot of ankle sprains and fractures , knee ligament injuries , shoulder injuries , and concussions resulting from sports activities .
“ Some injuries , especially overuse , can be minimized by ensuring a gradual increase in activity , stretching prior to activity , proper hydration and nutrition , and proper technique ,” she advises .
Playground injuries are also common .
“ We do typically see an increase in pediatric elbow injuries from falls on playgrounds , especially monkey bars . We see an increase in leg and ankle injuries from trampolines ,” says Dr . Harriger . in the shoulder , hip , and knee . There is also the risk of neck and spine injuries from diving in shallow water .
“ The best way to prevent this is to refrain from diving into any body of water if you cannot see the bottom or do not know the depth ,” she advises .
Parents may be wondering whether their child ’ s injury requires an emergency room visit or if they can wait to be seen by their family doctor or treated at home .
“ Parents should take their children immediately if they notice a loss of consciousness , see an obvious deformity ( fracture or dislocation ), if the child cannot stand / walk after the injury , or have any other concerns about their child or the injury they have sustained ,” says Dr . Harriger .
Non-emergency injuries are often treated with rest and decreasing the activity frequency or fully taking time away from the sport . For example , if a baseball or softball pitcher is experiencing elbow or shoulder time , it may be time to reduce the frequency of pitching and try other positions .
“ Other treatments patients can try at home are anti-inflammatory medications ( as advised by your doctor ), ice or heat , elevation to decrease swelling , and compression of the affected joint with ace wraps or compressions sleeves ,” says Dr . Harriger .
Every child deserves a fun and carefree summer . With some preventative planning and paying close attention to any developing pain , you can make sure your child ’ s break from school is as enjoyable as possible .
If you would like to make an appointment with Dr . Harriger or any of our orthopedic specialists call ( 724 ) 206-0610 .
Keeping a watchful eye at the playground and making sure your child is wearing appropriate athletic shoes for climbing , jumping , and running can help prevent these injuries .
The pool is another place that summertime injuries can occur . Kids that are swimming a lot , or as a sport , are susceptible to overuse injuries
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