Parents of Beaumont area student-athletes pay special attention to protecting their children from injuries. Our local schools offer a wide variety of sports programs, from football and soccer to tennis and swimming, providing students with opportunities to develop physically and mentally. These sports, along with off-campus activities such as martial arts and cheerleading, offer tremendous benefits but also come with the risk of injury. Parents should be aware of the most common injuries in each sport, and know when to seek emergency care, making a significant difference in the health and safety of their student-athletes.
Common Injuries By Sport
Our schools boast a comprehensive athletic program that includes football, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, and track and field. Here’s a look at the common injuries associated with these sports:
- Football: Football remains one of the most injury-prone sports. Due to its high-contact nature, students are susceptible to concussions, knee injuries (ACL and MCL tears), ankle sprains, and shoulder dislocations. According to national statistics, football contributes to the highest number of high school sports injuries, with more than 215,000 incidents reported annually .
- Soccer: Soccer players frequently suffer from overuse injuries such as shin splints and stress fractures, as well as acute injuries like ankle sprains and concussions from head-to-head or head-to-ground collisions. Soccer accounts for a significant portion of sports-related concussions in high school athletes.
- Basketball: Quick pivots and constant jumping make basketball players prone to knee injuries, particularly ACL tears, as well as ankle sprains and finger fractures from awkward landings. Repetitive motion in shooting and passing can also cause shoulder strains.
- Volleyball: Volleyball players are at risk for shoulder and knee injuries due to repetitive overhead movements and diving for the ball. Ankle sprains are common when landing after jumps at the net, and players can also suffer finger injuries from spiking or blocking.
- Baseball/Softball: Pitchers and players in these sports frequently suffer from shoulder injuries, particularly rotator cuff strains and tears, as well as elbow injuries such as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) damage. Sliding into bases can lead to fractures and sprains in the lower extremities.
- Tennis: Tennis players often experience overuse injuries such as tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and shoulder strains from serving. Stress fractures and shin splints are common due to the continuous running and quick changes in direction on the court.
- Swimming: While swimming is a low-impact sport, overuse injuries are prevalent, especially in the shoulders (rotator cuff strains) and knees. Swimmers who practice long distances or participate in intense training regimens may also experience lower back pain.
- Track and Field: Athletes in track and field often face stress fractures, shin splints, and muscle strains, particularly in events involving running. High jumpers and pole vaulters are at risk for more serious injuries like fractures from falls or awkward landings.
In addition to these BISD sports, many students in Beaumont participate in off-campus activities like martial arts and cheer. Martial arts can lead to injuries such as broken bones, joint sprains, and concussions from sparring. Cheer, known for its high-flying stunts, accounts for a significant number of catastrophic injuries in female athletes, including head, neck, and spinal injuries .
Identifying Serious Injuries
Parents often struggle to determine when a sports injury is serious enough to require emergency medical care. Here are some signs to look for:
- Concussions: Head injuries resulting in confusion, vomiting, headaches, or loss of consciousness should be evaluated immediately. Concussions can have long-lasting effects if not treated properly, and repeated concussions can lead to permanent brain damage.
- Fractures: Any injury where the bone is visibly deformed or protruding, or if there is severe swelling and an inability to move the limb, should be treated as an emergency.
- Severe Sprains and Ligament Tears: While minor sprains can be treated at home with rest, ice, and elevation, severe sprains, particularly in the knee or ankle, may require emergency care to rule out ligament tears or fractures.
- Internal Injuries: Internal injuries are particularly concerning as they are not always immediately visible. If your child complains of severe abdominal pain, dizziness, or has trouble breathing after a high-impact incident, they could have internal bleeding or organ damage. Sports like football, martial arts, and cheerleading increase the risk of internal injuries due to the physical contact involved.
When to Seek Emergency Care
It’s important for parents to trust their instincts. If your child appears to be in significant pain, is unable to bear weight on an injured limb, or shows signs of disorientation, difficulty breathing, or excessive swelling, it’s time to visit the emergency room. Severe concussions, fractures, and suspected internal injuries should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
How to Detect Internal Injuries
Internal injuries, which can occur in high-contact sports like football or martial arts, are often more difficult to diagnose. If your child experiences any of the following symptoms after a hard hit or fall, seek immediate medical attention:
- Severe abdominal pain or tenderness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Blood in the urine
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling or bruising in the abdomen
These symptoms could indicate damage to internal organs or internal bleeding, which requires urgent treatment.
Beaumont Emergency Hospital’s Expertise
At Beaumont Emergency Hospital, we are equipped to handle even the most serious sports injuries. Our facility is staffed with Board-Certified Emergency Physicians, who have specialized training in treating trauma, unlike nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs) who typically staff urgent care centers. Our physicians are highly trained to identify and manage both visible injuries, such as fractures, and hidden threats, like internal bleeding.
Beaumont Emergency Hospital is open 24/7 and provides access to advanced diagnostic tools, including CT scans and X-rays, to quickly assess the severity of injuries and ensure proper treatment. Whether your child has a severe concussion, a broken bone, or internal injuries, our emergency team is prepared to act swiftly and provide top-quality care.
Conclusion
Sports participation is a great way for students in Beaumont to stay active, build confidence, and develop discipline. However, injuries are an inevitable part of sports, and it’s crucial to know when to seek emergency care. By understanding the risks and taking advantage of the expert care available at Beaumont Emergency Hospital, parents can help ensure that their student-athletes stay healthy and safe.
National Federation of State High School Associations. “High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study.” 2022, www.nfhs.org/media/1020416/2022_injury_report.pdf.
Shields, Brenda J., and Gary A. Smith. “Cheerleading-Related Injuries in the United States: A Prospective Surveillance Study.” Journal of Athletic Training, vol. 51, no. 4, 2021, pp. 319-325.