If you have young athletes in your life, you know how important their sports are to them. With all of the camps, clinics, and tournaments, it seems like they are always on the go!

But what happens when your child over does it or accidentally gets injured playing the sport he or she loves? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Knoxville is filling you in on the details below.

Which Sports Are Most Risky?

Sports injuries are most common amongst the highest contact sports like football or basketball. However, even the lowest contact sports come with their own risks. Did you know that around 700 high school students report injuries while participating in their high school bowling league every year? Whenever you are participating in a sporting activity, there is a risk of injury.

If your child does get injured on the field or the court, we have outlined some steps below to help walk you through the process.

Common Sports Injuries

• Sprains and strains: This is by far the most common injury as many sports involve jumping, twisting and pivoting.
• Overuse injuries: Sports that require constant motion, like baseball pitchers and golfers suffer these injuries often.
• Stress fractures: This injury occurs when the muscle can no longer support the repetitive action so tiny breaks occur along the bone. They are common in runners.
• Head or neck: Football is far and away the most common sport where head injuries occur, due to the high contact of the game. They can also be the most serious.

How Can Sports Injuries Be Prevented?

Before your child even begins a new sports season, visit us for a sports physical. An easy check by one of our staff members can ensure your child is healthy enough to participate in his or her chosen sport.

Beyond that, proper hydration and diet is recommended, as well as properly warming up, stretching, and cooling down. It is also important that your child wear sport-specific safety equipment and use proper technique for sports movements like tackling.

How to Deal With An Injury

• You have heard it before, but it is imperative that you implement each step of the RICE method—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate.
• Monitor for any more severe symptoms or issues.
• Stop by for a visit to be thoroughly checked out by our team. We can take some X-rays to get a better idea of the extent of the injury.

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