Keeping Young Athletes Safe This Summer
Hi, I’m Dr. Paul van Deventer, a dedicated orthopedic physician with AVALA Ortho with a strong background in sports medicine, honed through my experience as the team doctor for St Paul’s High School. As the temperature continues to rise – there are two kinds of injuries we typically see increase in our clinics. Stress injuries and heat-related injuries become more common in the summer months for a few reasons.
THE HEAT
First – the Louisiana heat and humidity are not doing us any favors. Temperatures in the 90’s and thick humidity make it very easy for you to overheat and/or dehydrate. The heat can affect our young people even more. Their bodies have a higher surface area relative to their metabolic reserves, making them more susceptible to overheating and/or dehydrating.
To address this, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, in collaboration with the state legislature, has implemented guidelines for safe sports participation during the summer. These guidelines, based on WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) levels, include:
- Fourteen-day heat acclimation period: Gradually increasing exposure to heat.
- Mandatory rest periods during sports practices/events: Helmets must be removed, and athletes should rest in shaded areas.
- Unrestricted access to fluids: Water and electrolyte beverages should be readily available.
- Cold water immersion baths: For immediate cooling if needed.
Of course, the above guidelines were written for the protection of young athletes, but it is useful advice for all children playing outside in the summer heat.
STRESS INJURIES
Generally over the Summer break, our activity levels are higher and so are the risks of injury. Especially in growing children and adolescents, it’s easy to get hurt – just from overusing a specific body part or joint.
As our bodies grow and reach skeletal maturity, they place greater demands on their skeletal systems, which can lead to mechanical overload of growth plates. This is particularly common in sports like gymnastics and cheerleading, where athletes are repeatedly putting weight on a specific joint.
When children complain about nonspecific joint pain, it can be dismissed as growing pains. However, if the pain is persistent and lasts for over two weeks – they need to make an appointment with a specialist.
The older a person gets, and the more the bones mature, we see more stress fractures in the feet, partially due to an increase in running activities. Athletes playing sports like cross-country and football are particularly susceptible. The pain usually starts as nonspecific foot pain, worsens with activity, and sometimes remains constant. Diagnosing this problem often requires an MRI, and treatment involves activity restriction and a short course of immobilization. Most stress-related foot injuries resolve within six weeks, with a full recovery and return to activities expected.
STAY HEALTHY
At AVALA Ortho, we are dedicated to ensuring the health and success of all our patients. We hope this information will help you understand some of the potential problems the summer can bring. As always, our team of expert orthopedic physicians are here to help you heal whether you hurt yourself playing Pickleball or took an odd step.
Remember:
- Drink lots of water and electrolytes
- Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors
- Be mindful of how you use your body. Spend some time helping your body acclimate to the weather and any new activities.
