When your child plays sports at school, there’s naturally an increased risk of the possibility of injuries. This is especially true for contact sports like football and basketball. Even a seemingly minor injury shouldn’t be ignored, as they often prove to need a pediatric evaluation. Read below to find out why you should seek help for your child’s sports injuries with Dr. Camille Graham of Mid-City Pediatrics Inc., located in both West Chester and Cincinnati, OH.

Common Causes of Child Sports Injuries
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that approximately 3.5 million sports injuries are reported each year in children aged 14 and younger. These are some of the most common sports injuries that doctors see:

• Head injuries from falling, being hit by a ball, or colliding with another child while playing contact sports.
• Knee injuries and shin splints
• Joint sprains and ligament tears
• Shoulder dislocations and other shoulder injuries
• Fractured wrists, hands, feet, and ankles

Getting Help with Sports Injuries
Your West Chester and Cincinnati, OH, pediatricians are familiar with the common sports injuries that affect young school-aged children. Pediatric sports medicine is focused on both treating and preventing injuries. Treatments include X-rays and imaging to identify fractures or diagnose the source of pain, physical therapy, hot and cold therapy, and surgery (arthroscopy) if necessary. Your child’s doctor can also apply wraps or temporary casts to ensure proper healing of ligaments or fractures. 

Injury Prevention Tips
Children are sometimes prone to injuries because they aren’t aware of the risks of their actions. One way to help them prevent future injuries is to educate them on healthy habits and behaviors when playing sports with the help of their coach. For example, they must stretch thoroughly before athletic activity and stay hydrated. Another tip is to encourage them to play more than one sport each year so that they get a full range of training and conditioning. You can also protect them by ensuring that they have proper safety gear, including helmets, arm and knee pads, mouth guards, and supportive athletic shoewear.

Visit Your Pediatrician
When your child experiences a sports injury, act quickly to have it properly treated by a pediatrician at Mid-City Pediatrists Inc. in West Chester and Cincinnati, OH. Call (513) 948-8444 today to schedule a time to visit with Dr. Graham.

If your child or teen will be participating in sports this spring, Mid-City Pediatrics can help them prepare. We conduct sports physicals to ensure your child is healthy and in good condition for sports. We also provide sports medicine and can teach you and your child how to best prevent athletic injuries.
 
Sports Physicals in Kenwood and West Chester
Having your child get a physical prior to participating in spring sports is a great way to ensure they are healthy enough to play, and is required by most athletic organizations including the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). Dr. Graham and Dr. Kottyan both provide sports physicals which can often be combined with a routine well child visit. During the physical exam, a variety of things will be checked such as your child’s blood pressure, vision, breathing, heartbeat, and musculoskeletal system. In addition to ensuring all body systems are in good working order our pediatricians will also inquire about physical activity, dietary habits, school performance, and even social and emotional functioning. Finally, we will ensure that your child has received all required immunizations for their age group. We want to be sure your child is healthy and ready to play!
 
Sports Medicine
Participating in sports is a great way for your child to be physically active while also building self-confidence. For any child playing sports, it is important to have access to a good sports medicine program. Dr. Kottyan is a board certified sports medicine physician who provides services ranging from the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries to concussion management and counseling on injury prevention. Furthermore, if you have been to the ER or Urgent Care for a sports injury, Dr. Kottyan can provide follow-up care including management of many types of fractures. Dr. Graham is also experienced in seeing musculoskeletal injuries and can provide immediate care and triage for your injuries. Our goal is always to get your child back into the game as quickly and safely as possible. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Graham or Dr. Kottyan at either the Kenwood or West Chester location please call (513) 948-8444.

My Child Has a Sports Injury, What Should I Do Now?

Seeking help for your child’s sports injury

Kids love to be active and play sports, but this means you need to be prepared for a sports injury that will likely happen. The doctors at Mid-City Pediatrics in Cincinnati, Ohio, are here to take care of your child’s emergency.

Sports injuries are a leading reason why parents take their children to the emergency room, but there are some precautions your child can take to keep safe, such as:

• Warming up and stretching before playing a sport
• Wearing protective gear such as helmets, padding, and shin guards
• Playing according to the rules of the sport
• Staying hydrated

Children are very susceptible to sports injuries because their tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones are continuing to grow, and they will experience changes in their coordination and strength. They can also damage the areas of bone known as growth plates (cartilage at ends of long bones), which can affect their growth. Kids also have differing levels of stamina, some tiring more easily than others, and playing while fatigued can cause injury.

Some injuries, such as those from overuse, can be treated at home. Examples of overuse injuries are shin splints, elbow pain from throwing and tendonitis of the Achilles tendon. Some home treatments include icing the area, rest, wrapping and elevation of the affected area.

Other injuries such as those caused by a fall, an accident, trauma or twisting, are called acute injuries. Common acute injuries include muscle strains, ligament sprains, and broken bones. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, acute injuries, as well as overuse injuries which don’t respond to home care, should be treated by a doctor.

If your child has experienced a sports injury, don’t wait. Make an appointment with the doctors at Mid-City Pediatrics in Cincinnati, Ohio, who are there when you need them. Call today and get the very best treatment for your child.