The young athletes in your life are always on the go! Whether it be practices, games, tournaments or even just in the car on the way to all these events, it seems like they are never standing still.

Do you know what you would do if your child accidentally gets injured while playing on the field or court? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN knows all about sports-related injuries and can help you dig deeper below.

Which Sports Are the Riskiest?

Sports-related injuries are usually the most common when it comes to high-contact sports like football and basketball. However, that doesn’t mean that low- or no-contact sports don’t carry any risks.

Every time your child is active, there is a risk for injury. We outline some of the most common reasons for injury and prevention tips for you below.

Common Injuries We See

• Sprains and strains: Any sports that involve a lot of pivoting or twisting of the ankles leads to injuries like these.
• Overuse injuries: Sports where there is a repeated motion, like pitching a softball, see these types of injuries.
• Stress fractures: When your muscles can no longer support the strain on your bones, tiny fractures can occur. Stress fractures are common in runners and weightlifters.
• Head or neck: Football is the most common sport that suffers head and neck injuries, and they can be severe.

Can You Prevent Injury in Sports?

Before your child laces up his or her cleats or hops into the pool, come visit us for a sports physical. They are a great way to ensure your child is healthy enough to participate in his or her favorite activities.

In addition to having a sports physical, staying hydrated and eating right supports proper body function, and warming up and stretching before any exercise is always recommended.

Healing an Injury

• The RICE acronym is crucial to help prevent further damage—Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate!
• Monitor for any more severe symptoms, like significant bruising that won’t go away.
• Come by for an X-ray and to see one of our staff members. They can do a full workup to give you all of the information about the injury.

Did your child recently suffer a sports-related injury? Visit our AFC team to get an X-ray—no appointment necessary!