Skating, baseball, soccer, bicycling, hiking - the kids are outside, and just this week we've had two at the doctor for injuries. I was always more of a bookworm than an active kid, and I really felt ignorant when it came to my children's playground injuries. So, of course, I headed out on the Net to find out what to do for them.
This brief by Tri-Rivers Bone and Joint physicians gives a good overview of common sports injuries and general steps to take when your child is injured in athletics. Common injuries on the playground and athletic fields are falls, cuts, blows from equipment such as a bat, ball, or a swing, sprains, strains, and fractures.
Sports and playground injuries are generally either acute or the result of repetitive use. KidsHealth.org discusses the signs of each and describes potentially serious injuries in Preventing Children's Sports Injuries. KidsHealth also discusses the importance of proper diagnosis and early treatment to prevent chronic problems.
An in-depth reference for recognizing and treating sports injuries is About Sports Medicine's Sports Injury Index.
At FamilyDoctor.org you can find Flow Charts for pain symptoms your child may experience. These are a good place to start, or check the next page of this article for advice on dealing with specific injuries.
