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While baseball is America’s pastime, football is arguably the nation’s most popular sport. Not only is playing football a great physical activity to help players of all ages gain speed, strength, and athletic skill, but it is also instrumental in building character, sportsmanship, and physical prowess in our youth. As such, it’s no wonder that parents enlist their children to play the sport. In fact, in many states children as young as five years old are playing full contact football.

However, due to it’s high-contact nature, football tops the list in sports that can result in serious injury.  Before signing up your youth player, it’s important to note the potential injuries that are common when playing football.

4 Common Youth Football Injuries

Youth football players can suffer a variety of orthopaedic injuries such as:

1. Head injuries

   Concussions are one of the most common football injuries. This can be from a direct hit or a jerking motion because of the hit. Even with a helmet on, a concussion is always a risk. If you see any signs of a concussion (confusion, nausea), withdraw your youth player immediately. Head injuries can also result in whiplash that impairs head and neck movement.

2. Shoulder injuries

   The shoulders are used quite a bit by offensive and defensive players. Dislocations, separations, and sprains are common. However, in youth football players, growth plate fractures are more common than separations.

3. Knee injuries

   ACL and MCL tears are very common football-related knee injuries. For youth, fractures around the knee are more prevalent. Such injuries can be concerning, as early arthritis is a possibility.

4. Heat injuries

   This might not be top of mind when it comes to football injuries, but heat stroke and heat exhaustion are both valid and concerning potential injuries for youth football players. Remember to teach your child about the importance of proper and consistent hydration to avoid getting overheated and passing out.

While parents and coaches can’t help what accidents happen on the field, they can advocate for the use of protective equipment, instruct on range of motion stretching to keep players limber, and encourage proper gametime discipline that puts player safety first.

Your Solution for Youth Football Injury Care

Should your youth football player experience any of the above-mentioned injuries, know that the expert treatment plans and surgical intervention options provided by the team of orthopaedic specialists and physicians at Orthopaedic Associates of St. Augustine is available to you.

At Orthopaedic Associates of St. Augustine, we’re proud to play a role in helping people regain mobility and get back to their daily routines without pain. If your youth athlete has experienced a football injury or any type of orthopaedic ailment, our team is here to help. Please request an appointment online or give us a call at 904-825-0540.

 

Albert Volk, MD 
Board certifications in Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Dr. Volk specializes in an all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of the shoulder.

 

Sina Kasraeian, MD 
Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has extensive training in arthroscopy and sports medicine reconstructive procedures.