Athletic Joint Injuries

In the U.S., about 30 million children and teens participate in some form of organized sports, and more than 3.5 million injuries each year, which cause some loss of time of participation, are experienced by the participants. Almost one-third of all injuries incurred in childhood are sports-related injuries. By far, the most common injuries are sprains and strains. 

~ hopkinsmedicine.org

Determining the extent and severity of the  injury and predicting the time until an athlete can return to unrestricted sport activities remain significant challenges in the management of injuries.  

Particularly challenging to caregivers and athletes alike is the unpredictable nature of the resolution of these injuries and the often-protracted time needed before return to athletic participation.

~ US National Library of Medicine

National Institutes of Health, Sports Medicine

Ankle sprains are the most common injuries sustained during sports activity. In fact, 36% of professional football players at the 2006 National Football Combine reported a history of ankle sprains. ... The remaining 20% of patients are believed to continue to suffer from chronic lateral ankle instability. 

~ drdavidgeir.com/sports-medicine-stats-ankle sprains

Did you know 85% of soccer injuries reported are ankle sprains? 

~ American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Knee injuries in football are the most common... These injuries can adversely effect a player's long term involvement in the sport.

~ stopsportsinjuries.org

Basketball requires extensive stop and go and cutting maneuvers which can put the ligaments and menisci of the knee at risk. Injury to the medial collateral ligament is most common following a blow to the outside of the knee and can be often be treated with ice, bracing and a gradual return to activity. 

~ stopsportsinjuries.org

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which also makes it prone to injury. If you’re an athlete, taxing your shoulder over time with repetitive, overhead movements or participating in contact sports may put your shoulder at risk for injury. 

~ sports-health.com

The injury rate in CrossFit was approximately 20%. Males were more likely to sustain an injury than females... Participants reported primarily acute and fairly mild injuries. 

~ Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine

 The thought that braces lead to dependence and weak muscles is not substantiated by current research. To the contrary, back bracing can facilitate return to function and lead to increased trunk muscle strength. Because motion is reduced and not eliminated, trunk muscles remain active and load on the spine is distributed