Sports injuries in young athletes

Injuries to a skeletally immature athlete are common, but most of the injuries do not have long-term implications. There is no risk-free sport, and children tend to select the sports they wish to participate in based on their own desire, peer pressure, and their own talent regardless of the injury rate. Both acute and overuse injuries may occur. Open physes and apophyses represent unique structures that may be injured in this population. Prompt and proper identification of many of these injuries may allow the young athlete a relatively timely return to sports competition or recreation. Pediatricians and other primary care providers can make an active commitment to youth sports by learning more about these common sports-related injuries and becoming team physicians or joining local sports medicine advisory councils.