When you have children involved in sports, you know how busy you can get! Between driving them to games, practices and camps, it seems like you are all always on the go.

But what happens when a sports-related injury stops you all in your tracks? Our knowledgeable staff at AFC Urgent Care Memphis frequently sees sports injuries. Read on to get the scoop on sports injuries.

Are Certain Sports More Dangerous?

When you consider the sheer number of reported injuries from specific sports, high-contact sports like basketball and football are usually always at the top of every list. Their competitive and close contact nature make them great candidates for injuries.

That said, every time your child is active, there is risk for injury. Believe it or not, there are around 700 reported injuries each year from students participating in their high school bowling leagues! If your child gets hurt while participating in a sport, follow our helpful tips below.

The Most Common Injuries

• Sprains or strains: Frequent direction changes and twisting causes these injuries, which are some of the most common.
• Overuse injuries: Repeated motion of a particular muscle or body part can cause fatigue and eventual injury.
• Stress fractures: When your muscles can no longer support the strain on your bones, tiny fractures appear on the bone.
• Head or neck: Any injuries involving the head and/or neck need to be treated seriously.

Can You Prevent Sports Injuries?

While it is not possible to entirely prevent injury, seeing us for a sports physical can help identify any issues before your child begins his or her sport. Physicals are a great first line of defense when it comes to injuries!

In addition to a sports physical, encourage your child to drink enough water and eat a varied diet. The combination of these two things supports proper body function. Warming up and stretching before any activity is also a great way to help reduce injury, and your child should wear sport-specific safety equipment and use correct technique.

How to Heal After Injury

• The RICE acronym is a great tool to use to prevent further injury—Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate.
• Monitor for any more severe or changing symptoms, like significant bruising or swelling that won’t go away.
• Come see us for an X-ray or office visit if you are concerned about any internal damage.

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