Overuse Injuries in Youth Athletes: What Clinicians Need To Know

Northeastern University

Contents Objectives Introduction Risk FactorsCommon Injuries PreventionTreatmentRecommendationsWhat Clinicians Can DOReferences

Objectives To educate clinicians on the causes and effects

of overuse injuries.To raise awareness about risk factors

associated with overuse conditions. To provide information regarding the most

common overuse injuries. To make recommendations for treatment

options.To guide clinicians on ways to minimize

overuse injuries.

IntroductionWhat Are Overuse Injuries?Overuse Injuries are subtle injuries that occur overtime as a result of repetitive microtrauma to tendons, bones, and joints. These conditions are most often seen in young athletes.

Introduction (cont.)Why Do Overuse Injuries Occur?When a healthy amount of stress is put on the body’s bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, the body undergoes the remodeling process. This process involves both the breakdown and buildup of tissue in order to make the body stronger and more functional. If breakdown occurs at a rate at which buildup cannot keep up, an overuse injury occurs.

Introduction (cont.)How Common Are Overuse Injuries and

Why?50% of pediatric sports injuries are related to overuse. That number is increasing due to increased participation in youth sports. 30 to 45 million children from ages 6 to 18 participate in athletics.

Risk FactorsAnatomical:

Imbalances between strength and flexibilityBody alignment

Knock-knees, bowlegs, unequal leg lengths, etc.

DevelopmentChildren are still developing, therefore their

bones cannot handle as much stress as adult bones.

The growth plates are immature so remodeling is always occurring.

Risk Factors (cont.)Environmental:Training FactorsSingle-sport intensive training Weekend tournaments

Parental Pressure

Common Injuries Tennis Elbow

Cause: Inflammation of the lateral epicondyle Symptom: Typically pain on the lateral epicondyle. Condition

often leads to weakness in the wrist and difficulty performing everyday tasks.

Treatment: PRICE, manual therapy, stretching, exercises

Swimmer’s Shoulder Cause: When tendons of the rotator cuff become impinged as

they pass through the shoulder joint. Symptoms: Gradual pain at the front and side of the shoulder,

especially during overhead movement. Treatment: Rest, ice, gradual rehabilitation exercises

Common Injuries (cont.)Little Leaguer’s Elbow

Cause: Inflammation of the growth plate inside the end of the elbow. Often caused by repetitive throwing of a baseball.

Symptoms: Pain on the inside of the medial elbow. Treatment: Rest, strengthening exercises, ice massage

Runner’s Knee Cause: Any patellofemoral condition of the knee; most

common are patellar tendonitis and patellofemoral syndrome. Symptoms: Patellofemoral pain in the front of the knee Treatment: PRICE, stretching of hamstrings and quadriceps,

iliotibial band

Common Injuries (cont.)Achilles Tendinitis

Cause: Repetitive strain on the Achilles tendon Symptoms: Pain, inflammation and degeneration of the

Achilles tendon. Can be acute (most painful) or chronic. Ankle feels stiff and painful at the start of exercise and first

thing in the morning. Treatment: Rest, ice, heel pad, ultrasound therapy, exercises

only after acute phase

Osgood-Schlatter DiseaseCause: The tibial tuberosity becomes swollen or inflammedSymptoms: The tibial tuberosity is often more prominent

than normal; tenderness and pain increases during and after exercise, especially when contracting the quadriceps.

Treatment: Only exercise until it causes pain, ice massage, quadriceps stretches, patella knee strap, myofascial release techniques

Treatment Options For All Overuse InjuriesLess intense and less frequent activity

involving the injured body part.Proper warm-up and cool-down activities.Proper training techniquesApply ice after an activityConsider anti-inflammatory

medication if necessary.Refer patient to a pharmacist

Prevention Joint range of motion exercises as well as

stretching programs prescribed by clinicians have shown to help prevent sports injuries.

Icing after activity can help speed up the remodeling process and prevent overuse injury.

Recommendations/Optimal Lifestyle Choices Children are at a time in their lives when they should be having fun and participating in as much diverse physical activity as possible.Young athletes who participatein multiple sports, are well rounded, and who avoidintensive training have the most potential to remain active for a lifetime and to avoid overuse injuries.

What Clinicians Can DoTrain athletes gradually and encourage them to be

well-rounded.Provide athletes, their parents, and coaches with

prevention tips and treatment options. Make athletes and parents aware of environmental

risk factors in order to minimize them. Determine a training program that will allow the

body rest time to heal while maintaining physical benefits and increasing overall strength.

When necessary, refer patients to athletic trainers who can provide safe ways to be active and train for a specific sport.

References Brenner, JS. (2007, June). Overuse Injuries, Overtraining, & Burnout in Child &

Adolescent Athletes: Pediatrics. 119 (6), 1242-1245. Retrieved June 3, from Medline.

Coaches’ Resources: Teaching Kids Safe Ways to Participate in Sports. (2014). STOP Sports Injuries. Retrieved June 3, 2014, from http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/files/pdf/CoachesTeachingKids.pdf

Feeley, B. (2014). Runner’s Knee. University of California, San Francisco Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://orthosurg.ucsf.edu/patient-care/divisions/sports-medicine/conditions/knee/runners-knee/#.U4_neRaHwV8

Gregory, B. & Nyland, J. (2013, July). Medial Elbow Injury in Young Throwing Athletes. Muscles Ligaments Tendons Journal. 3(2). 91-100. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3711707/

Krivickas, LS. (1997, Aug). Anatomical Factors Associated with Overuse Sports Injuries: Sports Medicine. 24 (2). 132-46. Retrieved June 3, 2014 from Medline.

Overuse Injury. (2014). STOP Sports Injuries. Retrieved June 3, 2014, from http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/overuse-injury.aspx

Parents’ Resources: How To Encourage Success In a Young Athlete. (2014). STOP Sports Injuries. Retrieved June 3, 2014 from http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/files/pdf/encourage_success.pdf

Sports Injuries. (2014). Sports Injury Clinic. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries

Picture References [Untitled photograph of therapist and patient] Retrieved June 4,

2014http://www.eliteperformanceinstruction.com/attachments/Image/sports_med_physical_therapy_web.JPG

[Untitled photograph of two young girls with sports equipment] Retrieved June 4, 2014 from: http://jaymurdock.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/child-athlete-health-safety-tips-spry-2__crop-landscape-534x0.jpg?w=534

{Untitled photograph of children lying down in a line] Retrieved June 4, 2014 from: http://thumb9.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/91282/91282,1246630891,2/stock-photo-portrait-of-four-children-lying-in-a-line-33062815.jpg

[Untitled photograph of five youth athletes] Retrieved June 4, 2014 from: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nE4knV9wRkM/Sik_iBS58FI/AAAAAAAAAAM/lacQ2tiu18w/s320/22180705.jpg

[Untitled photograph of three young boys with balls] Retrieved June 4, 2014 from: http://mogosport.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/youth-athletes.jpg

[Untitled photograph of developing boy]Retrieved June 4, 2014 from: http://parentingforeveryone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/child_development_stages.jpg

[Untitled photograph of angry coach] Retrieved June 4, 2014 from: http://mogosport.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/bad-sports-parent.jpg

[Untitled photograph of ice pack] Retrieved June 4, 2014 from: http://0.tqn.com/d/physicaltherapy/1/0/f/1/hamstring-stretch.jpg

[Untitled photograph of cartoon man stretching] Retrieved June 4, 2014 from: http://www.drdavidgeier.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ice-therapy.jpg

[Untitled photograph of four young athletes] Retrieved June 4, 2014 from: http://www.bodybio.com/Data/Default/Images/newsletters/Issue14/children-sports.jpg

Context MemoThis slideshow presentation is intended to

educate Physical Therapists and other health care professionals about overuse injuries. Its purpose is to provide insight on how to minimize the risk for overuse injuries and how to treat them when they do occur. This presentation could be part of a continuing education course for clinicians or found on a website as a tool for clinicians looking to learn more about this topic.

Reflective NoteClinicians who do not receive a certification in sports

medicine may be familiar with overuse injuries but most likely do not understand how to minimize the risks associated with them. I decided to create this presentation as quick way for clinicians to better inform themselves on the topic. This presentation could help prevent overuse injuries and treat conditions. It could also be a useful tool for clinicians to share with patients when asked to provide prevention or treatment tips. The presentation consists of certain terms that only healthcare and medical professionals would understand, therefore the presentation best fits in a health profession environment. I chose to present this information in PowerPoint because I think it is the best way to present a lot of information in a short amount of time. It is an easy way to present clinicians with everything they need to know in an easy to understand and brief format.

Note I think this project would be an excellent fit for

my portfolio. It shows my ability to communicate with a specific audience and demonstrates my skills presenting information in a way that differs from a traditional article or essay. It also displays my knowledge of and passion for the topic.