Back-to-School Sports Injuries: What Parents Should Know

As children head back to school, many are also returning to soccer, football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, cross-country, and other organized sports. While participation is an excellent way for kids to stay active and healthy, the sudden increase in practices, conditioning, and games can also increase the risk of injury. 

Why Do Injuries Increase at the Start of the Season?

One of the biggest reasons is doing too much, too soon. A child may go from relatively low activity during the summer to several practices and games each week. Muscles, tendons, bones, and joints need time to adapt to this increased workload.

Overuse injuries are particularly common in young athletes. Repetitive movements without enough recovery can lead to persistent pain and injuries involving the muscles, tendons, joints, and bones. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that approximately 50% of sports-related injuries in children are caused by overuse. Other factors that can increase injury risk include:

• Returning to sports without adequate conditioning
• Rapidly increasing training volume
• Playing multiple teams or sports without enough recovery
• Lack of sleep
• Poor nutrition and hydration
• Inadequate warm-up or conditioning
• Playing through pain

When Should You See an Orthopedic Specialist?

Not every sore muscle requires a doctor's visit. Some soreness after starting a new activity is normal and should improve with rest. However, persistent or worsening pain should not be ignored. Parents should consider an orthopedic evaluation if their child:

• Has pain that continues despite rest
• Develops recurring pain during practices or games
• Has swelling around a joint
• Is limping or changing the way they run
• Has decreased strength or range of motion
• Cannot participate normally because of pain
• Has repeated injuries to the same body part
• Continues to have pain several days after an injury

A significant injury with severe pain, substantial swelling, inability to bear weight, obvious deformity, or inability to move a joint normally should be evaluated promptly.

Don't Let Kids "Play Through the Pain"

Young athletes may be reluctant to tell parents or coaches about pain because they don't want to miss practice or let their teammates down. But persistent pain is a signal that something may need attention.

Early evaluation can help identify an injury before it becomes more serious and allow an athlete to receive appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. The goal isn't simply to get young athletes back on the field quickly—it's to help them return safely and stay active throughout the season.

A successful sports season starts with gradual conditioning, adequate recovery, proper technique, and listening to your body.