Overuse Injuries in Children and Adolescents

Overuse injuries have become common as more and more children participate in sports. A careful history can identify risk factors; targeted patient education can lead to successful rehabilitation and prevent injuries. Thanks to the growing number of young people participating in sports at an early age, training year-round, and competing at specialized or elite levels, the incidence of overuse injuries has risen in the past decade. Recent studies estimate that 30% to 50% of pediatric sports injuries are caused by overuse, with the frequency of injury equal among boys and girls. For older patients, the proportion of injuries that are due to overuse is even higher.