Signs of Sports Injuries in Kids

Know the signs of sports injuries in kids to play it safe

Sports help kids stay active, build confidence and learn valuable life skills. But whether your young athlete plays baseball, softball, tennis, track, football, volleyball or any other sport, injuries can — and do — happen.

They might pull a muscle, twist an ankle or break a bone. And knowing the signs of a sports injury can help you get the care your child needs to heal well.

“From the stands, it can be difficult to see what’s happening with your child after an injury or collision,” says Meagan Fernandez, DO, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Geisinger Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics. “But there are signs and symptoms you can watch out for before and after the game.”

Spotting early warning signs and taking action right away can help prevent the injury from getting worse and shorten recovery time to get your child safely back in the game.

Common sports injuries in kids

Young athletes — especially kids under age 8 — are more prone to injury than adults because they’re still growing and developing hand-eye coordination. They also may have slower reaction times.

Common sports injuries in kids fall into 2 categories:

Acute injuries that happen suddenly and are tied to a single event, like a concussion, fracture, sprain or strain
Overuse injuries that develop gradually over time, like growth plate irritation, tendonitis, bursitis or stress fractures

“Overuse injuries develop when repeated stress outpaces the body’s ability to recover,” says Dr. Fernandez. “Because growth plates are still maturing, kids can be more sensitive to repetitive loads.”

Signs of sports injuries in kids

Kids may try to play through pain or discomfort, so parents and coaches should watch for subtle changes in movement, mood and attention.

“Quick recognition and early action can reduce complications and speed recovery to help your young athlete perform at their best,” says Dr. Fernandez. “But nagging injuries that go untreated can turn into chronic problems that require a much longer time away from the sport, so the injury can heal properly.”

Here are 5 warning signs that your child may have a sports injury:

Unexplained headache

If your child leaves the field with an unexplained headache, nausea or dizziness, dehydration may be to blame.

“It’s often much cooler in the spring and fall seasons, and kids tend to forget to drink enough water when it isn’t as hot,” says Dr. Fernandez. “Dehydration can cause symptoms like nausea, dizziness and headache, but studies show that they may also be more prone to concussions and other injuries without that fluid to act as a shock absorber.”

Confusion

Thanks to awareness and advocacy campaigns in professional sports, concussion awareness is growing every day. However, concussions can happen in any sport — not just football. Sports like cheerleading, volleyball and baseball aren’t commonly associated with the condition, leaving them underdiagnosed.

“If your child is dizzy or seems confused after a violent shake or sudden impact to the head and neck, they may have a concussion,” says Dr. Fernandez. “If this is the case, it’s important to call their doctor or physical therapist for evaluation and treatment.”

Other concussion symptoms can include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light or difficulty concentrating.

Limping

You may associate sprains and strains with an adult weekend warrior, but our children are also susceptible to these conditions. An unexpected or awkward twist, turn or landing can overstretch or tear muscles and ligaments, leading to pain, stinging and weakness.

If your child is limping, favoring one side or not putting weight on a leg, it’s time to get it checked out.

“Most sprains and strains heal themselves with rest and regular icing, but if your child doesn’t notice an improvement in 1 to 2 weeks, you might want to consult with their doctor,” says Dr. Fernandez.

Persistent pain

Some muscle soreness after an intense practice or game is expected. It typically shows up within 24 hours and goes away after a day or 2 with rest.

But pain and discomfort that’s sharp, persistent or worsens should get evaluated.

“Playing through pain increases the risk of more serious injuries, like stress fractures or ligament tears, that can have long-term effects,” says Dr. Fernandez. “If the pain isn’t improving with rest, it could be a sign of an injury that needs medical attention.”

Breathlessness

If your child is suddenly out of breath during exercises that normally come easily, it might be time to visit your doctor. Asthma is a common culprit, but breathlessness can also be a sign of an irregular heart.

“Ideally, your young athlete should have a full examination before every season,” says Dr. Fernandez. “In-depth physicals and heart scans can protect against changes to their heartbeat, rate and rhythm, as well as their lung health and capacity.”

When is it safe to return to play?

If your child does get injured, make sure they heal fully before returning to sports. Returning too soon can prolong recovery and increase the risk of re-injury.

Your child’s doctor can help determine when it’s safe to return based on the type and severity of the injury.

In most cases, a safe return to play requires:

Complete resolution of symptoms
Full strength and range of motion
A gradual, step-by-step return to activity
Clearance from their doctor

“They’re still kids, and they think they’re invincible,” says Dr. Fernandez. “That’s where we come in.”

Preventing sports injuries in kids

Not every injury can be avoided, but smart preparation, good mechanics and planned recovery can greatly reduce risk.

To help prevent sports injuries in kids, Dr. Fernandez recommends:

Doing dynamic warm-ups before practices and games to loosen muscles and prepare them for play
Incorporating balance, strength-training and conditioning exercises to build muscle and flexibility
Cross-training and playing multiple sports throughout the year to avoid repetitive stress
Prioritizing rest and recovery by taking 1 or 2 days off from organized training each week to give the body time to recover
Following pitch counts and rest guidelines for throwing sports
Learning proper mechanics from coaches or athletic trainers
Wearing appropriate footwear and protective equipment

“Perhaps most importantly, create an environment where your child feels comfortable speaking up about pain, discomfort or anything that feels off,” says Dr. Fernandez. “When kids know they’ll be heard, it’s easier to catch injuries early and prevent minor issues from becoming major setbacks.”