By: John Hajaliloo, M.D., pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Pediatric Orthopedic Center, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach

Between regular season play, club and travel teams, youth sports are more competitive than ever. In order to make the team or take their skill to the next level, young athletes are often driven to play and train year round. While organized sports are a great way to keep kids and teens active, too much physical stress on a child’s growing body can put them at risk for overuse injuries.

Overuse injuries occur over time in the bone, muscle, ligament or tendon when stress happens to the same part of the body repetitively. Overuse injuries are different from acute injuries, such as a broken bone caused by a fall, since the damage is not done immediately.

Overuse injuries are common in young athletes who focus on one sport for multiple seasons or year round. Pitcher’s elbow is a commonly known overuse injury. Because pitchers repeat the same motion frequently, the elbow may not have enough time to heal leading to a gradual injury of the tendons or ligaments, and in some cases fractures.

Signs of Overuse Injuries

There are several signs parents can monitor to help identify potential overuse injuries:  

  • Pain not caused by an acute injury
  • Pain that increases with activity
  • Swelling
  • Changes in form or technique

Strategies to Prevent Overuse Injuries

  • Children should be encouraged to play a variety of sports.
    Different sports require different body movements. Rotating sports by season will give the specific muscles and joints used in that sport time to heal and rest.
  • Plan for adequate rest time.
    Once a full season or league is finished, the child should take about a month off to rest and heal. In addition to time off between seasons, it’s important to rest during the season. Scheduling rest days each week will help ensure the child doesn’t over train.
  • Don’t play through the pain.
    If a child is experiencing pain, it’s important to take a break from physical activity. Pushing through the pain can cause more damage to their growing bones. Any time a child experiences pain that doesn’t go away with normal pain management techniques, it’s important to talk to their physician. Early interventions may help prevent a future injury.

Finding a Sports Medicine Specialist

Bones heal differently in children than adults – especially if a sports injury requires surgery. Because kids are constantly growing and developing, they need specialized pediatric orthopedic care if injured. The pediatric orthopedic surgeons at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach specialize in comprehensive assessment, treatment and follow-up care to children, adolescents and young adults with sports-related injuries, including overuse injuries.

For more information about the Pediatric Orthopedic Center at Miller Children’s, visit MillerChildrens.org/Ortho or call 800-MEMORIAL.