Youth Athletes

Youth Athletes

How Kirby Physical Therapy Can Assist

Millions of American children and teenagers participate in organized sports. The kids exercise and learn the importance of teamwork — and, unfortunately, sometimes get injured.


Sports injuries, such as pulled muscles and concussions, send more than 2.6 million children to emergency rooms every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even if an injury isn’t serious enough for a trip to the hospital, it can cause pain and interfere with a child’s life.

Common Injuiries

Injuries in young athletes are on the rise and it’s important that sports injuries be assessed and treated properly so kids can get back to their regular activities and avoid developing chronic pain.

Here are some common injuries that are most commonly seen in young people:

  • Sever’s disease – Also known as “calcaneal apophysitis”, this is the most common cause of heel pain in the growing young athlete and results from repetitive micro trauma to the growth plate in the heel. It generally occurs in children 8 to 12 years of age and boys are affected more often than girls. Factors that can lead to this injury are participation in sports or activities that involve running or jumping, poor running form and lack of calf flexibility.
  • Osgood-Schlatter disease – This condition is usually caused by irritation of the growth plate at the insertion of the patellar tendon at the top of the shin. It generally occurs in children 9 to 14 years of age who have undergone a rapid growth spurt. It is most commonly seen in boys, and occurs with sports that involve running, cutting, and jumping. It usually presents as pain in front of the knee that is worse with activity and improves with rest.
  • Little league shoulder – Refers to chronic, repetitive micro trauma of the shoulder growth plate. This condition is mainly found in baseball pitchers between the ages of 11 and 14 as well as in tennis players and swimmers.
  • Little League elbow - Refers to repetitive stress to the growth plate on the inside of the elbow. This injury is most common in pitchers but occur in other positions such as catchers, infielders, and outfielders.
  • Stress fractures of the lumbar spine “spondylolysis”- A stress fracture is when a bone breaks after being subjected to repeated tensile or compressive stresses. Spondylolysis usually occurs in the low back, frequently in athletes whose sport involves repetitive spinal loads, particularly extension.
  • Concussion – An injury to the brain caused by a blow to the head or body. While not an overuse injury it is important to mention as it requires immediate removal from play and consultation with a physician who specializes in concussions.
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