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Spring
Sport
Safety
As your child warms up for spring sports,
learn the best way to avoid sports injuries.
P
itchers are on the mound, catchers are behind the
plate, goalies are guarding the net and the spring
sports season has officially begun. No matter what sport
your child plays, there is some risk of injury. Take time to
learn about various types of sports injuries and what you
can do to help prevent them.
RISKS OF REPETITION
Playing sports over a long period of time can lead to a
repetitive stress injury or overuse injury. The most common
overuse injuries involve the knee and foot, although for
particular sports, some parts of the body are more vulnerable,
such as baseball players' elbows and shoulders.
"Prevent repetitive stress sports injuries by taking time off
throughout the year," says Greg Canty, MD, Medical Director at
the Center for Sports Medicine at Children's Mercy Kansas City
and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Orthopaedics at the
UMKC School of Medicine. "Take three months away from a
particular sport at the end of the season, and use the time
to exercise the entire body."
AVOIDING ACUTE INJURIES
Acute injuries are caused by sudden trauma, such as a hit
or fall. Broken bones, sprains, strains, cuts and bruises are
all acute sports injuries. To prevent acute injuries, Dr. Canty
advises your child to be in the best physical shape possible
before taking to the field.
"Make sure young athletes have good general conditioning,"
Dr. Canty says. "They should stay in good shape throughout
the winter and gradually reintroduce a sport when the
season starts."
WHEN INJURIES HAPPEN
"Sports injuries are common in athletes," Dr. Canty says.
"With proper recognition and treatment, kids can safely return
to enjoying the sports they love."
Use first aid to immediately treat an acute injury. As your
child progresses throughout the season, look for the signs
of a repetitive injury, including unexplained pain or swelling.
Whether overuse or acute, all sports injuries should be
evaluated by a physician. The Center for Sports Medicine at
Children's Mercy Kansas City provides specialized care for
your child athlete.
"Our clinics have experts who are trained specifically in
managing sports injuries and how to get kids back in the game
safely," Dr. Canty says. "We follow evidence-based guidelines
for when and how to return to play."
To learn more about our sports medicine clinical services,
visit www.childrensmercy.org/SportsMedicine.
New for You
The new Center for Sports Medicine at Children's Mercy
Blue Valley has everything you need to address your
child's sports injuries, including:
• exercise and physical therapy equipment in
a new, 3,500-square-foot gym
• physical therapists who specialize in adolescent
sports injuries
• fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians.
To learn more about the Blue Valley Sports
Medicine Clinic, call (913) 717-4700, visit
www.childrensmercy.org/BlueValley or
scan this QR code.
www.childrensmercy.org 3
