What are the signs and symptoms that my child might have an overuse injury?
Keep in mind that most overuse injuries begin as mild discomfort during specific activities or movements. If your child is complaining of pain, soreness, ache, tenderness, tightness or swelling, they may have an overuse injury.
Overuse injuries can occur anywhere in the body, and your child might notice symptoms during any of the following activities.
- Sports-specific activities
- Walking
- Standing
- Sitting in school or while watching a movie
- Going from a sitting to a standing position
- Ascending and descending stairs
- Reaching overhead
- Putting on or carrying a backpack
- Other daily or recreational activities
Here are the 10 most common overuse injuries in kids, including specific symptoms and sports.
What should I do if I think my child might have an overuse injury?
- Stop any painful activities immediately. Rest is the first step toward treating an overuse injury and making sure it doesn’t develop into something serious.
- Talk to your child’s coach. They can reinforce appropriate restrictions and rest, work with your young athlete to improve their technique, and show them preventive stretching and strengthening exercises.
- If your child continues to experience symptoms, get medical advice. Talk to your child’s primary care pediatrician, or schedule an appointment (including by Video Visit) with Connecticut Children’s sports medicine specialists.
> Find Connecticut Children’s sports medicine services near you
Bottom line?
Make sure your child knows to stop playing if they feel pain, and talks to you and their coach.
By noticing overuse injuries early, and seeking medical advice if necessary, young athletes can often get back in the game after just a short rest or some adjustments to their activity – and avoid more serious injury, which could take them out for an entire season or more.