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Answers to Your Questions About Injuries in Youth Sports
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Einstein Healthcare Network
1:45
The live chat with Dr. Morrissy will take place right here on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. The chat will appear in this box. There will be no video or audio, just answers to your questions. Please feel free to post questions in advance using the blue box below.
*** Wednesday, July 26 ***
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:22
Dr. Morrissy is in the house. We'll get started in just a few minutes.
Elaine
12:33
What can I do to rehab a fractured rib and pulled intercostal muscle?  It's been 8 weeks and I want to get back to exercising.
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:35
The most important thing about rib fractures initially is to focus on deep breathing to prevent lung infections. Rib fractures can take anywhere from four to eight weeks to heal, so as your pain improves you can increase your range of motion with gentle stretching. Around the six week mark begin some light exercise.
Mina Baisch, FNP
12:35
How do we refer patients to you?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:36
Call 484-622-7100. I'm currently at the Braemer Professional Building, Suite 270, East Norriton, Pa.
LeRai Martin, RN, MSN
12:36
Camp nurse in Chester, PA (my comment was about not embarrassing athletes when they have to sit out, and encouraging them to report head injuries) - also, emphasizing that basketball and soccer players are just as prone to head injuries as are football players. Thank you.
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:38
LeRai, great question. It is important for camps to have a protocol for concussions and convey that to the athletes and the parents to set expectations. Depending on the sport, it is good to use a professional or collegiate role model that may have had a concussion to explain to the athletes that the treatment for these high level athletes is just as important for them.
Tamina
12:38
What temperature is to high for a child to be outside playing sports?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:41
Tamina, there are a few factors that contribute to unsafe conditions. It is the heat, the humidity, the wind and the sunshine. There are devices called a wet bulb globe thermometer that combine these to produce an accurate assessment of the environment. There are web sites that provide charts explaining these risky temperatures. At 82 degrees races and sporting events are often cancelled using WBGT.
Guest
12:41
my son is 10 and after playing soccer his Achilles is painful.  Sometimes I think it is the shoe or over use syndrome, is this something that should be look at by ortho?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:44
This raises a big topic. As kids grow their bones often grow faster than their muscles and tendons. In your son's age group it is common to get heel pain called Sever's Disease, which is an apophysitis. Kids will commonly outgrow this but it can be a real problem. Stretching, gel heel cups and decreasing over use can improve symptoms.
Eileen
12:44
Hi, Dr. Morrissy-
Hi, Dr. Morrissy- I am a nurse with grandchildren who play sports. My 11 year old grandson plays tournament baseball, sometimes 3 games in 1 day in the July heat. He and a couple other boys have become weak and a little dazed after the combination of heat and activity. What can be done to minimize the risk of dehydration and heat stroke? I personally hate Gatorade because of sugar peaks and valleys but many of the boys drink tons of it. Is water, healthy snacks, and trying to stay cool the answer? Thank you.
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:46
When it comes to dehydration, water is the best option. Sugary drinks such as Gatorade, juice or sodas are not as effective and can add increased calories. I prefer using fruits, such as oranges, as a healthy snack, but nuts or granola bars are safe options as long as the sugar content isn't too high.
Steve
12:47
Hello, My 28 year old son has a painful right middle finger.  He did not always seek proper medical care in his youth while playing football, rugby and boxing.   He has been diagnosed with mild arthritis.  This does not explain the amount of pain he has had for over four months.  His job requires a lot of computer work and this has necessitated that he be on disability.  The joint was extremely swollen and the crackling sound has worsened. The swelling has subsided with not typing but there is still some pain.  Any  idea you can give on what might be causing or advice on how to proceed with this would be greatly appreciated.
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:48
Steve, it sounds like your son could have sustained some significant injuries from playing sports. I would recommend being evaluated and having some X-rays. Oftentimes, hand therapy from an occupational therapist can help improve range of motion, but it is possible that a steroid injection or a surgical evaluation may be needed.
GrandJim
12:48
Grandson, high school sophomore, will start training for third year of long distance track in August.  The past years he has experienced knee pain, shin splints and general soreness all thru his seasons of autumn, winter and spring track. I feel he should be evaluated by a sports medicine doctor but his parents are of the work-thru-it mind set, not even offering an NSAID. We are 10 minutes from world renown AI DuPont. Should I keep pushing for the evaluation, or in the least, an Advil. Btw, he has excellent times and great potential as viewed by his coach. He was invited to the State Championships as a freshman.
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:50
Congratulations on your grandson's achievements. It is not uncommon for long distance runners to have various aches and pains throughout the season. Often these are improved with some rest or changes in their workout regimen. If symptoms are persistent in affecting his performance, I would recommend him being evaluated. If he is able to continue to compete at a high level, then it may not be necessary.
Jeffrey K
12:50
Can a 4 mm tear in Achilles at the point of insertion at heel be healed or corrected without surgery?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:52
Jeffrey, this absolutely can be healed without surgery, but the specifics of the injury would need to be discussed with your doctor. Some complete tears are treated non-operatively. There is typical a period of rest and immobilization followed by physical therapy.
Trudi
12:52
Stressed my knee and not sure how. What causes the swelling/inflammation? Why does prednisone help? Other than ice, any advice for a 2 week-old injury and what strengthening/stretching is appropriate as it heals, pls?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:54
Trudi, in regards to Prednisone helping your knee pain, it is a strong anti-inflammatory medication. It is hard to specifically answer about your knee injury, but typically regaining your range of motion is our first goal and then improving your strength follows that. Specific stretching and strengthening depends on the injury, and can be discussed with your physician, physical therapist or an athletic trainer.
Ted Arthur
12:55
Are there more incidents of knee and leg injuries among girls in soccer than boys and is there any definitive data to support either side of equation?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:57
Ted, there is an increased incidence of non-contact ACL tears in females and there are several factors that have been investigated that lead to this injury. Some involve the shape of the bones, the neuro-muscular control of the knee and hip and also hormonal differences. This is still a hot topic in research and the definitive answers are still being investigated.
Eric
12:57
My 16 year old daughter is playing volleyball year-round. Sometime she is playing for hours per day, 3 times per week.  Also, since she plays sand volleyball, her legs also get an extreme workout. I am concerned about injury or over-use of her shoulder or legs What she should do to prevent long-term injury? Also, what should she do to help with her body's recovery?
Brian G
1:00
In your experience what kind of mental health issues have you seen in young athletes in response to injury?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:01
Eric, I think your concern is shared by many parents with kids who are heavily involved in sports. Volleyball is a great full-body workout. There is concern for overhead sports causing shoulder injuries. To prevent long term injury a good conditioning program is required. Using proper mechanics while playing is vital, and her coach can address this. It is also important to get proper rest and nutrition. It would also be good if she has certain periods throughout the year where she takes a break or participates in other sports to allow rest from volleyball's demands.
1:04
Brian, when young athletes experience injury there is a lot of fear and sometimes depression associated with this. Depending on the extent of the injury, they may need to miss a short period of time or may not be able to participate at all.  Children often identify themselves with the sport and not being able to participate causes them a lot of anxiety. There is also loss of their normal social circle, so allowing them to go to practices and be around the team can be helpful. Having a good support network with family, friends and coaching staff can be helpful to ease these fears and anxieties.
James L
1:05
What are the very first signs of heat stroke to watch for, if you are running summer football training camps?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:07
James, initially there will be complaints from kids being thirsty and hot, but the red flag begins with light-headedness, dizziness and confusion. So having kids take breaks and stay well hydrated prior to the onset of these red flags is critical.
Pam Feliciano
1:07
My 12-yr old daughter got a level 1 sprain when her ankle twisted going in a ditch during a soccer scrimmage game last Tuesday. Any suggestions for helping her ankle heal (like keeping wrap on it) and how long should she take before going back to practice?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:09
Pam, ankle sprains are very common and people tend to do very well following them, but returning prior to completely rehabbing the ankle can be a setup for repeated injury. Grade 1 ankle sprains typically heal in two to three weeks. It is important that balance, strength and flexibility has returned to the pre-injury level before returning to full participation.
Karen Dinger
1:10
What are the trends in injuries from playing boys lacrosse - my son's been playing since he was in 2nd grade and is going into 9th this year.  He plays tournament/travel in addition to school lacrosse.  What can I do to minimize his chances for injury ?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:12
Karen, lacrosse is a great sport. It is a contact sport and minimizing accidents is difficult. Having proper conditioning and proper protective equipment is the best strategy.
Jeffrey
1:12
How should a parent decide when a seemingly minor injury, like a twisted ankle during a basketball game, requires going in to the office or other medical follow-up (rather than just "walking it off"?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:13
Jeffrey, a good rule of thumb is that if a seemingly minor injury occurs and the child is still complaining two days later, an evaluation should be considered.
Henry P
1:15
Is there one type of cold pack you would recommend over another, to keep in my soccer equipment bag, for use on the sidelines?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:16
Henry, I don't have a specific ice pack to recommend. Often a simple bag of ice is all that is needed. Usually ice is not required as standard equipment unless there is an injury. The chemical ice packs that need to be twisted to activate are also convenient, but not superior.
Susie Hubbard
1:17
My son has been diagnosed with Chostocondritis. He is a swimmer and this is the 2nd year this has happened. It only seems to flare up when he has to do heavy duty breathing workouts in the water. Any suggestions on how to prevent this? Also I am concerned there could be an underlying cardiac or pulmonary issue. He is under a doctors care, but at this point they won't sign off on his sport form for school. Should he see a cardiologist.?
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