QuickLinks
Dreyer Sports Medicine Physician Says Student Athletes can Avoid Some Injuries
| Wednesday, 31 August 2011 07:13 |
|
Heading into the new school year, parents have plenty of concerns about their children. Suffering an injury while on the playing field will be on top of the list for many. But, some injuries may be avoidable, says Dreyer Medical Clinic Sports Medicine physician Jodi Pelegrin, D.O., A.T.C.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, over seven million students participate in high school sports annually. High school athletes accounted for an estimated two million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits, and 30,000 hospitalizations in 2006. Football had the highest injury rate, followed by wrestling and soccer. Dr. Pelegrin says that while acute injuries like bruises and broken bones are common, she sees many other athletes with unnecessary injuries. “We see the obvious sprains, strains, and fractures, but the reality is that kids are coming to my office with overuse injuries,” Dr. Pelegrin explained. “They have sore knees, weak ankles, pitching elbow, pitching shoulder, heel pain, and tendonitis. These overuse injuries are most commonly seen in repetitive sports like cross country, soccer and gymnastics” Dr. Pelegrin has three suggestions for student athletes to help reduce these types of injuries. Engage in preseason conditioning to increase muscle strength and flexibility, avoid overuse of muscles, joints, and tendons, and have good-quality, correctly-fitted equipment As team physician for West Aurora High School and Medical Director for the Fox Valley Marathon, Dr. Pelegrin says starting the fall sports season unprepared is asking for trouble. It’s essential to work out regularly in the off-season. “The biggest mistake young athletes make is changing their activity level during the off-season. They stay active during the school year but when summer comes they don’t stay conditioned like they should,” Dr. Pelegrin said. “They eat junk food and stop working on flexibility and training. When they come back to school they’re really out of shape. You can’t go from doing nothing to attending two-a-day practices in 90-degree weather without expecting to see some sort of injury.” There’s no magic bullet when it comes to injury prevention but Dr. Pelegrin says parents need to remember two words. “Good equipment,” Dr. Pelegrin said, “Get the equipment that fits and functions properly.” Even kids in non-contact sports can be injured by using sub-standard gear. “My office is full of people with foot pain who ran five miles with inferior shoes,” Dr. Pelegrin said. “Tennis rackets can’t be too heavy or you’ll get tennis elbow. I see so many people who get hurt unnecessarily. There is almost always a way to prevent injuries.” Dr. Pelegrin sees patients in the Orthopedics Department at Dreyer’s Highland location, 1221 N. Highland Avenue, Aurora. Please call 630-264-8720 to schedule an appointment or visit dreyermed.com/ortho for more information. |