Team Sports Are Great - But You Have To Take Some Precautions

We are encouraged throughout life to be physically active, and team sports are a fun and great way to socialize while also learning important life skills. What a lot of people ignore when promoting team sports is that they also carry significant risk of injury. Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit advocacy group, reports that over 1.3 million kids are brought to emergency rooms every year as a result of sports-related injuries. The most commonly reported sports that lead to these injuries include football, cheerleading, soccer, and basketball.

What’s Serious And What’s Not?

While minor falls, cuts, bruises, and bumps are often expected when people play team sports, severe injuries that end in an ER trip are normally more of a surprise. If you or your child suffers a significant injury such as a sprain, broken bone, severe abrasion, or contusion, did you know you can bypass the long lines of the ER and be treated in one of your TrustCare? Please note that all head injuries or suspected concussions should be seen immediately in an emergency room.

How Can We Avoid Sports Injuries?

While certain injuries can only be completely avoided if you sit on the sideline instead of the field, other long-term injuries can be helped with a certain measure of caution. Safe Kids Worldwide recommends a pre-participation physical exam for young athletes to make sure that they are physically healthy enough to participate in sports. While serious injuries pose a threat to anyone playing team sports regardless of age, it is important to note that young athletes take longer to heal from concussions and traumatic brain injury because their bodies are still growing. In addition, all athletes are encouraged to remain well hydrated, begin all sports by stretching and warming up, and stay in tune with their body to understand overuse and the need to rest.

At TrustCare, we offer services ranging from sports physicals to walk-in urgent care to help you heal from sports related injuries as quickly as possible. If you suffer from a sprain, fracture, or other injury, grab your smart phone and find the closest clinic to you.