Overuse conditions

An increasing number of boys and girls are playing recreational and organized sports. As a result, there is a rise in the number of overuse injuries seen among children and adolescents. The majority of sports and overuse injuries are due to minor trauma involving soft tissue injuries - injuries that affect the bone, muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons.

Most common types

Overuse injuries can also lead to stress fractures. Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone caused by overuse. Stress fractures often occur in the foot after training for basketball, running and other sports. There may not be swelling, but pain and tenderness often increase during movement.

Treatment of an overuse injury:

Specific treatment for an overuse injury will be determined by your child's physician based on:

• Your child's age, overall health and medical history
• Extent of the condition
• Type of condition
• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the condition

The goal of treatment is to control the pain, promote healing, prevent complications, and restore normal use of the injured area.

Initial treatment for overuse injuries is rest.

Other treatment options may include:

• Medications
• Activity restrictions
• Splint/cast
• Crutches/wheelchair
• Physical therapy (to stretch and strengthen the injured muscles, ligaments and tendons)
• Surgery (rarely)

Long-term outlook for children with overuse injuries:

Overuse injuries can heal fully if the physician's recommendations are followed. It is important that the child adhere to the activity restrictions and/or stretching and strengthening rehabilitation programs to prevent re-injury.

Most sports injuries are due to either traumatic injury or overuse of muscles or joints. Many sports injuries can be prevented with proper conditioning and training, wearing appropriate protective gear, and using proper equipment.