COMMON SKELETAL INJURIES IN YOUNG ATHLETES

The increasing frequency of injury in young athletes over the last 2 d ecades reflects the increases in sports participation of children of a young age. Physical injury is an inherent risk in sports participatio n at any age. In general, the factors causing sports injuries can be g rouped in 2 separate broad categories: extrinsic and intrinsic factors . However, the great majority of injuries which are sustained are mino r and self-limiting, suggesting that children and youth sports are saf e. However, a increasing number of children undergo treatment because of the effects that injuries may have on their developing bodies, A ch ild's skeletal system shows pronounced adaptive changes to intensive s ports training. Sports injuries affect both growing bone and soft tiss ues, and could result in damage of the growth mechanisms with subseque nt life-lasting damage. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to inj uries, at least partially due to an imbalance in strength and flexibil ity, During growth there are significant changes in the biomechanical properties of bone. Zn young athletes, as bone stiffness increases and resistance to impact diminishes, sudden overload may cause bones to b ow or buckle. Epiphyseal injuries occur at the epiphyseal growth plate s. They are usually due to shearing and avulsion forces, although comp ression also plays a significant role. Given the remarkable healing po tential of bone in youngsters, fractures that initially united with so me deformity can completely remodel and appear totally normal in later life. As the risk of injuries sustained by young athletes can be sign ificant, it is essential that training programmes take into account th eir physical and psychological immaturity, so that the growing athlete can adjust to their own body changes.