According to a report by the National Alliance for Youth Sports, there was a total of 4 million youth sports injuries in children and teens in the year 2017 alone. This makes up about 40% of all the total injuries which were reported for children and teens under the age of 18 years. Majority of these injuries occur in contact sports such as rugby, football, basketball and those that require strenuous muscle activity like athletics.
Children and teens keeping fit and remaining active is a positive sign for the health and sport competitive edge for future generations but if youth sports injuries are not managed, then we risk losing not just talent, but the nation’s next workforce.
As such, it is imperative that parents of youths active in sports, their coaches and other stake holders, step up their efforts as far as managing youth sports injuries is concerned. One of the most important step towards managing and reducing the risk of youth sports injuries, is reporting them to emergency rooms and other relevant medical facilities as soon as possible.
The earlier an injury is reported to an emergency room, the sooner the problem gets addressed and the lower the chances of further aggravating the injury resulting in more problems. Here at Frontline Emergency Room, we always advise our clients to report even the slightest of nagging sports injuries on time because we know that the small nagging muscle injury can mean the difference between a successful career in sports and life using a wheelchair.
So, what are some of the tips on when to go to the emergency room for youth sports? When should you report youth sports injuries to the nearest emergency room?
Tips on when to go to the emergency room for youth sports
Concussions and head injuries should be reported immediately
One of the most common injury and one which has elicited a lot of controversy, is head injuries and concussions in particular. Concussions are a traumatic injuries to the brain which affect the brain function and affect one’s concentration, memory, balance and coordination.
In the event of a head injury, the coach or whoever is in charge of the victims, should report the same to the nearest emergency room. Irrespective of whether the victims are conscious or not, there is need for proper medical diagnosis and treatment.
It is also a requirement that all players that suffer from concussions and other head related injuries, should sit out for a couple of months before they can resume playing. Ignoring a concussion, can mean that difference between brain damage and the next Tom Brady.
Report any muscle injuries as soon as they are incurred
Muscle injuries are relatively common in youth sports. As the muscles are still developing, it is very easy for youth to injure, tear or even pull their muscles. According to sports scientists and experts, a muscle injury should be reported as soon as it occurs and the player should stop physically engaging that muscle until it has completely healed.
Be it an arm muscle, a hamstring or even a neck muscle, coaches and players should report injuries as soon as they are sustained. This way, the muscles will be treated and the recovery will take shorter periods.
Bone injuries are as bad as they come in sports
One of the most dreaded injuries even among professionals, is an injury to the bone and unfortunately, they are very common among the upcoming sports stars. Fractured bones are a common sight in emergency room X-Ray rooms.
It goes without saying that players and coaches likewise, should report any injury to the bone for immediate examining and commencement of treatment and rehabilitation. Although bone injuries are potential career-enders, it is important to understand that they can be treated and through proper rehabilitation, players can make comebacks.
Any unexplained pain should be reported
Sometimes, players try to toughen and play with nagging pain. This is not advisable because unexplained pain in any part of the body, can be indicative of a serious underlying problem. Be it pain in the leg, groin area or even in the abdomen, it is best advised for one to seek relevant medical help.
Reporting unexplained pain to the nearest emergency room will facilitate proper diagnosis using proper machinery followed by proper medication. There are cases of players injuring their internal organs and because they ignored the warning signs, their organs ended up completely damaged and dysfunctional.
Frontline is open 24 hours for injuries
If you are in Richmond or Texas and have a youth sports related injury, do not hesitate to give us a call today and let us address the injury before it is too late. We are a premium, 24 hour emergency room offering high quality services at very competitive rates. Our emergency rooms are well-equipped and the facility is run by some of the most qualified medical personnel in the state. Give us a call today and visit our offices, to manage any youth sports injury.
