Can athletes prevent knee injuries?
Injuries to the knee in teens can lead to short-term and long-term damage. Keeping your competitive athletes on the field and in the game they love means taking steps to prevent injury.
Through proper training and conditioning, and by following healthy guidelines, the risk of knee injuries can be reduced in teen athletes:
Strength training is an important part of injury prevention, especially in knee injuries. Strength training exercises can be provided by a coach, athletic trainer, or sports physical therapist.
Start conditioning several weeks before the start of a new sports season. This should include running, strength training, and acclimating to the weather conditions.
A dynamic warm up should be performed prior to practice and then stretching and mobility exercises performed after practice.
Your teen athletes need rest and recovery to reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Aim for a minimum of 1-2 days per week without sports specific training.
If your athlete is showing signs of knee injuries, don’t panic. At Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, our pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine specialists are specially trained to recognize the specific signs and symptoms that may be causing your teen’s knee pain in order to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
This content is general information and is not specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the health of a child. In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
