Injuries & Sports Performance

Most soft tissue injuries happen in muscles, ligaments and tendons. Injuries often occur during sports and exercise, but sometimes simple activities can cause injury. Sprains and strains arise from acute injury caused by sudden trauma such as a fall, twist or blow to the body. They vary in severity from stretching that damages the ligament, muscle or tendon to partial or complete tissue tearing. A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament. Ankles, knees, and wrists are most vulnerable to sprains. Pain, bruising, swelling and inflammation are common symptoms of sprains. Strains are injuries to a muscle or tendon. Feet, legs, and backs are most susceptible to strains and may result in pain, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, swelling, inflammation or cramping. Bone fractures can occur from injury or repeated stress and may occur at children’s growth centres.

Growth-related and overuse injuries are often associated with young athletes and sports-related activities. Because kids and teens are still growing, they are at greater risk for injury than adults, whose musculoskeletal system is mature. Growth and overuse injuries affect ligaments, tendons, bones, and growth plates. Generally, they happen over time when an athletic activity is repeated so often that the body does not have time to recover. Consequently, such injuries may lead to long-term problems or, in rare cases, impaired growth if left untreated.
Common growth and overuse-related injuries include growth centre pains such as Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease, Sever’s Disease, Little Leaguer’s Elbow, and Iselin’s Disease; growth plate injuries (“Gymnast’s Wrist”); tendonitis such as “Jumper’s Knee” (patellar tendonitis), Achilles tendonitis, and Plantar Fasciitis; and joint pains such as Patellar Femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), Transient Synovitis of the hip, or Spondylolisthesis.

A concussion is the most common type of brain injury. It is a blow to the head and neck that can affect the brain’s work. Concussions can happen at any time (falls or motor vehicle accidents), but children involved in high-impact sports like hockey and football are at an increased risk. Though concussions are a mild brain injury, they should be taken seriously. Common symptoms include nausea, headache, confusion, dizziness or memory problems. If you suspect your child may have suffered a concussion and is exhibiting some common symptoms, you should seek medical treatment as quickly as possible.

Were you and your newborn or child in a motor vehicle accident? A variety of injuries can occur due to a motor vehicle accident. Some, like broken bones, are obvious, but soft-tissue damage or whiplash can be less apparent and take several days to appear. At CYP, we know what’s “normal” for infants and young children and can provide you with an appropriate assessment and effective treatment strategies.
Injury from motor vehicle accidents may include:

• Torticollis
• Headaches
• Neck and Back Pain
• Whiplash
• Decreased Range of Motion
• Muscle strains
• Ligament sprains
• Fractures
• Post-surgical and post-fracture
• Concussion