Month: February 2025

Here in the LA Region, there are many opportunities for youth athletes to play sports year-round, both indoors and out. Although the availability of year-round sports offers many advantages for kids and teens, it’s important to watch for symptoms of overtraining or signs of injuries from accidents on the court or in the field. 

In this guide to injuries that commonly occur during those winter season sports, we’ll share some common health concerns to watch for—and how to prevent them.

Common winter season youth sports

There’s no doubt that soccer is one of the most popular youth sports played in the LA region, with some clubs offering winter leagues or indoor games. Similarly, basketball leagues play this time of year in schools and rec leagues. The beginning of the year is also a popular time for youth volleyball, competitive swimming, and gymnastics.

While there are countless benefits to participating in youth sports—from fitness to teambuilding skills, and in some cases, the start of lifelong friendships—excessive running, jumping, throwing, falling, and pivoting can wear on an athlete’s body over time, even at a young age.

What are some common injuries sustained by youth athletes in winter?

Here at our LA-based pediatric orthopaedic facility, we often find the following sports injuries:

Sprained Ankles

Whether skateboarding on a mild day, snowboarding at a nearby mountain, or sustaining an injury during an indoor soccer game, sprained ankles are one of the most common youth sports injuries, caused by overstretching or tearing a ligament. 

Common symptoms related to an ankle sprain are:

• Outside of ankle pain, tenderness, swelling or bruising
• Painful weight bearing
• Stiffness or inability to fully move ankle

Prevention tips: 

Perform proper stretching and warm up exercises, and engage in ankle strengthening exercises. Also, wear well-fitting shoes when exercising. If your child has previously had ankle sprains, consider ankle tape or a lace up ankle brace.

Learn more about sprained ankles in our health information library.

Knee Injuries

Sprains and strains are common at the knee, too, and can lead to long-term injuries if not treated correctly, especially after playing sports like hockey, basketball, and gymnastics.

Common knee injuries for youth athletes include:

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee and provides stability. A common ACL injury is a tear, which may occur during sports that involve sudden stops and pivots, like during a soccer or basketball game. 

ACL tear symptoms include:

• Immediate, rapid swelling
• Pain
• Inability to weight bear
• Unable to move knee
• Popping sound or sensation at time of injury
• Feeling of knee “giving out” when in use

Prevention tips: 

Exercises to strengthen the hamstrings and quadriceps are key. Have athletes practice proper landing techniques, too, but be sure to avoid over-training. Appropriate footwear is beneficial, as well.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Osgood-Schlatter disease is an overuse condition of the knee that causes pain and swelling at the growth plate below the knee. Like other pediatric overuse injuries, it often occurs due to repeated stress from activities like soccer, basketball, or gymnastics. 

Common symptoms include:

• Pain and swelling at the bump below the knee
• Pain when running or jumping
• Weakness in the quadriceps muscles

Prevention tips:

The most important thing to do is to have your child limit activity as soon as he or she notices the painful bump on the top of the shin bone. Proper warm-up and stretching exercises of the thigh, hamstring, and calf muscles may help prevent Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)

The patella is the kneecap, and patellar tendonitis is a knee injury characterized by inflammation of the patellar tendon and overuse. The patellar tendon is located at the front of the knee between the kneecap (patella) and shinbone (tibia) and allows your child to straighten their knee so they can run or jump. When this tendon becomes inflamed, it’s called patellar tendonitis. You might also hear it referred to as “jumper’s knee” and is a common condition for youth athletes who play volleyball and basketball.

Common symptoms related to patellar tendonitis are:

• Pain, usually felt between the kneecap and where the tendon attaches to the shinbone
• Dull ache
• Swelling
• Tenderness

To prevent patellar tendinitis, it is important to incorporate proper warm-up and stretching routines before exercise, focus on strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings, and avoid excessive jumping or running without adequate rest. If symptoms arise, rest and physical therapy can help manage the condition.

Prevention tips: 

Perform warm up and cool down stretches, especially the thigh muscles, and do exercises to strengthen thigh muscles Avoid playing or practicing on hard surfaces, like concrete, and avoid single-sport specialization (which may cause overuse injuries). 

Learn About Our Dynamic Injury Prevention Program For Knee Stabilization

This DIP Program consists of a warm-up, stretching, strengthening, plyometrics, and sport specific agilities to address potential deficits in the strength and coordination of the stabilizing muscles around the knee joint. Learn More or Watch Our Video

Concussions

Whether your child plays a contact sport or not, concussions can still be a significant concern whenever there’s potential for falls or collisions. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury; while properly fitting helmets are crucial for sports like hockey, in sports where helmets aren’t necessary, like basketball, concussion prevention and awareness are still valuable. While not always obvious, concussions should be taken seriously as they can have long-term consequences on a child’s health and cognitive function.

‍Concussion symptoms include:

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Neck pain and stiffness

Prevention Tips:

Wear appropriate headgear and be sure that coaches are trained in managing collisions and head injuries.

Wrist Injuries

Training young athletes on how to fall safely—by using their body to cushion the impact instead of relying on their hands—can reduce the likelihood of wrist injuries.

Common wrist injuries include:

Fractures: Although broken bones might not always be obvious, typical signs of a pediatric wrist fracture may include an inability to move the wrist or hand, pain and swelling in the affected area, bruising or redness in the wrist or forearm, and deformity of the wrist, hand, or forearm.

Sprains and Strains: Wrist sprains are most often caused by the child falling on an outstretched arm, or a similar impact from contact sports that forces the wrist to hyperextend and tears the surrounding soft tissue and ligaments. Common signs of a wrist sprain include swelling, bruising, pain or tenderness, and weakness. 

Gymnast Wrist: Gymnast wrist is a repetitive stress injury that causes pain and inflammation on the thumb side of the wrist. It usually develops when a gymnast increases training intensity or moves to a higher competitive level.

Learn About LuskinOIC’s Sports Medicine Program

At LuskinOIC, we specialize in helping young athletes get back in the game by tailoring our treatments to each child’s unique needs. Our approach goes beyond treating tendonitis or meniscus tears and providing physical therapy; we provide accessible expertise, often free of charge, making us the top choice for active families.

Learn more about our sports medicine program and meet the team here!

We’re lucky to be located in a region where climates tend to be mild during winter, yet in just a short drive to the mountains we have the opportunity to enjoy snow sports like skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. Whether your child is new to such activities or an experienced enthusiast, accidents can happen. Some injuries may occur suddenly and unexpectedly, while others develop over time. Luckily, many can be avoided through the right prevention methods. 

Common winter injuries 

Concussions

As a skier or snowboarder, it’s always a good idea to protect your head when gliding downhill, over jumps, and over long distances, as a concussion can occur from accidental falls or collisions. A type of traumatic brain injury, any suspected concussions should be taken seriously; look for signs of headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, sensitivity to light and noise, and neck pain. Concussions can best be prevented by wearing a properly fitting helmet and by taking lessons from a trained instructor to learn proper techniques.

Safety Tip: How to Fit a Helmet

Taken from our Helmet Safety Guide:

• Measure: Measure your child’s head for size. Have them try on several helmets to find the best fit.
• Fit: With the helmet on, ensure your child can see and hear clearly. Adjust the sizing pads or fit ring for a snug, comfortable fit.
• Position: The helmet should sit level on the head, low on the forehead—one to two finger-widths above the eyebrows.
• Adjust Straps: Set the side straps to form a “V” shape around the ears and lock the slider if possible.
• Secure: Buckle the chinstrap and tighten it so that only one or two fingers fit under the strap.
• Test Fit: Have your child open their mouth wide like a big yawn. The helmet should pull down slightly on their head.

Spinal Injuries

Collisions and falls can also have a major impact on young spines. Early learners in an ice skating rink are more prone to falls and collisions onto the hard ice as they develop their skills and confidence. But skiers and boarders are also at risk. Besides having the proper gear, be sure to make time for warming up prior to these high-intensity activities. 

Shoulder Injuries

A dislocation of the shoulder joint happens when the bones making up your shoulder joint are moved apart so that the joint no longer functions. In severe cases, ligaments, tendons, and nerves also can be stretched and injured. The main symptom is pain in your shoulder and upper arm that is made worse by movement. Depending on the sport, prevention may include wearing layers of clothing (snowboarding) or padding (ice hockey) to help cushion any fall that may be likely. Avoid exacerbating the injury by avoiding the same sport until full recovery of motion and strength in the arm.

Knee Injuries

Sprains, strains, and overuse of the knee can lead to long-term injuries if not treated correctly. Common knee injuries include:

Patella Subluxation or Dislocation

The patella is the kneecap. When the kneecap slides out of position, it is called patella subluxation or dislocation. Learn More

Patellar Tendonitis

The patellar tendon is located at the front of the thigh and extends your knee allowing your child to run or jump. When this tendon becomes inflamed, it is called patellar tendonitis. You might also hear it referred to as “jumper’s knee.” Learn More

Patellofemoral Syndrome

The patellofemoral joint is where the patella and thigh bone meet at the front of the knee. When this joint is inflamed it is called patellofemoral syndrome. It is also known as runner’s knee. Learn More

Ankle Injuries: Sprains or Fractures

Treatment for ankle fractures, or broken ankles, varies depending on the severity and type of fracture. This can range from a supportive boot to surgical intervention for more severe cases. An ankle sprain happens when a ligament gets stretched or torn. Ankle injury prevention includes wearing secured, proper footwear for that particular sport and making time for warming up and stretching as needed. For children who’ve had previous ankle injuries, consider ankle tape or a lace up ankle brace to prevent recurrence. 

When Injuries Occur

Learn About LuskinOIC’s Urgent Care Center

At LuskinOIC’s Urgent Care Center, orthopaedic doctors and staff provide essential urgent and trauma medical care to children with broken bones and musculoskeletal injuries. Rather than waiting longer in an emergency room to see a general physician, walk in and see a pediatric orthopaedic specialist in just a few minutes.

Learn more here!

Here’s everything you need to know about cast care for your child’s broken bone.If your child recently got a cast for a broken bone, they’re not alone, as fractures are the fourth most common injury in young children. At LuskinOIC, we apply more than 32,000 casts annually, helping kids heal and get back to what they love.

Curious about what to expect during this time of healing? Luckily, children do tend to heal faster from broken bones than adults in most cases, but proper cast care is key. Here’s what you need to know about keeping casts clean and protected, and ensuring your child heals quickly and properly.

Understanding Casts: What are casts for?

First, we’ll go over a little background information. Simply put, a cast helps to stabilize and protect fractured bones and their surrounding soft tissue while they heal. Typically made of plaster or fiberglass that covers from the joint below the break to the joint above the break, each cast is custom made to fit its recipient for an extended period of time. They require the care of a specialist in order to remove. 

It’s important to note that a cast is different from a splint, which is usually fabric or plastic, covers only part of the limb, and is easier to remove.

What to expect when a cast is applied:

First, a protective padding of cotton or synthetic material is placed to create a barrier between skin and the cast. 

Next, the cast material will be soaked and then placed carefully over the padding by a doctor or technician. 

If the injured limb is showing significant swelling while the cast is being applied, plastic spacers may be used to split the cast and accommodate the swollen area. Spacers allow for adjustments as swelling decreases over time. 

If you notice swelling, keep the limb elevated as much as possible for the next two to three days.‍ If swelling does occur, here are some ways to relieve symptoms.

Elevation: Keep the injured limb above heart level. 

Movement: Gently wiggle toes and fingers to help reduce swelling and prevent stiffness.

Ice: Apply a cold pack to the cast or splint to reduce swelling, ensuring a layer of absorbent material separates the ice from the cast to keep it dry. 

Please note: Severe swelling can lead to circulation issues or nerve damage. ‍

If symptoms occur, visit either our Urgent Care Center or a local emergency room.

‍

How to care for your cast:

Here are five important notes to remind your child.

1. Plaster casts must remain dry to prevent cast or skin damage. While bathing, keep casts sealed in a protective sleeve. (Ask your doctor for more advice.)

2. Casts may become itchy, but avoid the temptation to use objects inserted through the cast opening. 

3. Keep the cast free of powders, dirt, and sand.

4. Do not trim or remove cast edges yourself; contact your doctor if adjustments are needed.

5. Do not attempt to remove the cast yourself! A doctor or technician will use a special saw that vibrates (not rotates) to reduce the risk of cuts. 

Healing time: How long does a cast need to be on?

It typically takes about four to eight weeks for pediatric fractures to heal, although severe fractures can take up to three months. Your child’s doctor will give an estimate appropriate for their specific injury and it’s important to stick to that treatment plan.

Want to learn more about broken bones? We discuss everything from symptoms to rehabilitation in our Parents’ Guide to Understanding Childhood Fractures.

What to expect after a cast is removed:

Even after the fracture heals, your child may still experience some stiffness and soreness—but this will improve over time. You may also notice some dry and flaky skin or light, excess hair growth, but this will return to normal shortly after.

Your child’s doctor will also offer advice on returning to sports or play, noting any restrictions, as the healed limb regains its mobility and strength. 

Learn more about LuskinOIC’s expert care for pediatric fractures:

Did you know that the Ahmanson Foundation Fracture Center at LuskinOIC is one of the country’s largest pediatric orthopedic fracture centers? As LA’s experts at treating broken bones in children, our care begins with diagnosis and spans the entire recovery process. Learn more about the center here.