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Sports Medicine

Tips for a Safe Youth Sports Experience

Spring is just around the corner and that means spring sports season.

In the United States, there are an estimated 30 million children and teens that participate in some type of sport and for good reason. There are numerous benefits including physical fitness, developing lifelong healthy habits, improved school performance and reduced risk of drug and alcohol abuse. Playing sports can also help boost self-esteem, teach discipline, build character and help develop social skills. However, as participation levels increase, so does the risk for injury.

Injuries from organized and unorganized sports account for 775,000 emergency room visits annually for children ages 5-14 and sports-related injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits in 12-17-year-olds. Perhaps the more important figure to note is that an estimated half of all childhood sports-related injuries can be prevented.

So how can parents help maximize the potential benefits while reducing the risk of injury? Here are some tips for creating a safe youth sports experience:

1. Choose the Right Sport

It’s important to choose the right sport for your child’s age, physical traits and maturity, and personal interest. Different sports vary in their demand for certain kinds of physical traits. Does your child have the strength, height, flexibility, endurance, or other traits needed to start a particular sport? Is their body mature enough to handle the stressors associated with that sport? Of course, certain traits can be developed through strengthening and conditioning, but there will be some level of predisposition to a particular sport or type of sports. For team sports, make sure children are grouped and matched up based on skill level, weight and physical maturity–especially for contact sports.

2. Get a Preseason Physical

Generally, a sports physical is a requirement for participation in youth sports through schools, recreational leagues, and other organizations. If for some reason it is not required, it is important to get one anyway. Preseason psychical exams are the best way to get an overall picture of your youth athlete’s health. It can help identify any issues that could hinder your child’s athletic performance or that could be detrimental to your child’s safety. In some cases, a sports physical can be completed by your child’s pediatrician in conjunction with his or her annual well-child visit. This health assessment can help prevent serious injuries resulting from a health issue that otherwise may have gone undiagnosed.  This is also an opportune time to make sure your child is current on all immunizations.

3. Get to Know the Coaches

Just as you should build a relationship with your child’s teachers, you should also get to know his or her coaches. How long have they been working with children? What is their experience with the sport? Are they qualified to administer first-aid? Is their CPR-certification up to date? Will there be athletic trainers on hand during practices and games or competition? In order to have a safe youth sports experience, you and your child should both feel comfortable with the coach and any support staff.

4. Inspect the Environment

Ensure that playing fields and environments are safe, clean and well-maintained. Areas should be well-lit and free of tripping hazards, holes, exposed sprinklers and broken glass. Are there nearby restrooms and adequate access to first aid? Is equipment in good, working order? Do heating and cooling systems function properly? For other areas to consider, check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s guide for creating healthy environments for youth athletes.

5. Invest in Proper Equipment

One of the contributors to youth sports injuries is incorrect or ill-fitting gear and equipment. This includes protective equipment such as pads and helmets, but also apparel and footwear. Replace these items in a timely manner if they become damaged, show signs of excessive wear or your child outgrows them. Additionally, for most sports jewelry can be a safety hazard. Teach your child to leave these items at home, in their bag or in their locker.

6. Stress the Importance of Hydration

Hydration is one of the most important things you can do to promote a safe youth sports experience. As a child exercises, his muscles generate heat, raising his body temperature. When the body gets hot, it sweats. The evaporating sweat cools the body. If the child does not replace the water lost through sweating by drinking more fluids, the body’s water balance will be upset and the body may overheat. To prevent dehydration, your child should drink fluids before, during and after exercise. Though water is ideal, fluids containing salt such as sports drinks have been shown to significantly increase voluntary drinking. Don’t be afraid to speak to your child’s coach about what protocols they have in place to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses.

7. Use Food as Fuel

Teaching children that the body is fueled through proper nutrition helps set them up for lifelong healthy habits. This also helps ensure they’ll receive the adequate calories, vitamins and minerals in order to exert the amount of energy required by youth sports. It’s equally important to fuel the recovery phase after intensive or extended physical activity. A mixture of carbohydrates and protein can help repair and restore tired muscles.

8. Promote that Winning Isn’t Everything

More than 54% of athletes have reported playing even though they were injured. In many cases, not speaking up about pain or a seemingly minor injury is due to fear of failure or disappointment, but left untreated even the most minor aches and pains have the potential to become serious. It’s important for your child to understand that his or her safety is your number one priority–not winning or their potential athletic future.

9. Learn How to Fall

For most sports, part of learning how to prevent common sports injuries includes learning how to safely stop or how to fall. Doing so can help minimize the impact and severity of injury. For a gymnast, this might mean learning how to tuck and roll. For a baseball player, it might include learning how to properly slide to home plate. Each sport is different.

10. Have a Plan

Despite best efforts to prevent them, accidents and injuries do happen. Participating in youth sports or any physical activity increases the risk, so it’s important to know what to do if your child does get injured.

Contact Paris Orthopedics

The team at Paris Orthopedics specializes in providing care and prevention for a variety of sports and activity-related injuries for children, teens, and adults. Our knowledgeable team of providers works together to diagnose and treat sport and activity-related injuries while counseling patients on the correct training and best practices that can significantly reduce their risk of further or recurring injury.

If your child has experienced an injury as a result of an activity or sport, call (903) 737-000 to schedule an appointment right away. Proper diagnosis and timely treatment can make the difference in sitting out for a game versus sitting out for the season.

General Ortho

Winter Weather and Back Pain

In Texas, we are fortunate to only experience relatively mild winters compared to other parts of the country. The coldest period tends to be late-December through mid-February. No matter how mild the winter, cooler temperatures have the potential to exasperate back pain (and joint pain) especially for those with conditions such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. While there is minimal evidence to support the connection between weather and back pain, there are several reasons why your pain may be affected by the season.

  1. Vasoconstriction: When exposed to cold temperatures, the blood vessels in your extremities narrow to deliver extra blood to more vital areas such as your brain, heart, lungs and bowels–a process called vasoconstriction. This results in the tightening of your muscles, tendons and ligaments, which are all vital to supporting your spine. As these become stiff, it places extra strain on the back that may result in pain or discomfort.
  2. Barometric Pressure: There have been no scientific studies to prove a connection, but the anecdotal experience is far too widespread to ignore it. The most popular hypothesis regarding barometric pressure and back pain is that when the barometric pressure drops prior to a storm or when there is a drastic change in temperature, there is less gravity to prevent further swelling in joints. When your joints are already inflamed from an existing condition, previous surgery or injury, the swelling is compounded and results in increased pain.
  3. Lack of physical activity: Colder weather and shorter days may deter even those with the best intentions from getting enough physical activity on a regular basis. It may seem counterproductive, but outdoor activity and exercise actually help joint and back pain. Your muscles need continued exercise in order to fulfill their vital role of supporting the spine. Without it, you become more susceptible to injury.
  4. Abnormal physical activity: In the winter, you may find yourself doing back-intensive activities that you otherwise don’t perform or participate in during other times of the year such as raking leaves, chopping wood or learning to ski on vacation. When your back isn’t conditioned or strong enough to handle these activities, your risk of experiencing back pain increases.
  5. Seasonal Depression: Whether you experience the winter blues or suffer from seasonal affective disorder, winter weather and less sunlight can take their toll both mentally and physically. Seasonal depression can cause back pain, fatigue, increased perception of pain and decreased interest in daily physical activity.

Don’t let back pain force you into hibernation this winter. To help you stay active during the cooler months of the year, dress in layers to help keep your muscles warm especially when you’re outside. Activities you can do any time of year that are great for back health include swimming at an indoor heated pool, indoor aerobic exercise and walking. Just make sure you wear proper footwear to reduce your risk of slips and falls that can result in a herniated disc or fractured vertebrae.

Contact Paris Orthopedics

If your joint or back pain becomes more than you can manage on your own, call (903) 737-0000 to schedule an appointment with Paris Orthopedic. Our team of experts offers comprehensive orthopedic and musculoskeletal services for patients throughout Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma.

Bone Health

6 Signs That You May Have Osteoporosis

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 44 million have low bone density, placing them at increased risk.

Often referred to as a “silent disease,” osteoporosis is a bone disease that makes a person’s bones weak and more likely to break. But, if you can’t feel your bones getting weaker, how are you supposed to know if you have osteoporosis before you have a fracture? Here are six warning signs to look out for:

  1. Receding gums: Like many other health problems, your dentist may be the first to notice early signs of osteoporosis so it’s important not to skip your regular teeth cleanings. If he or she notices receding gums, they can screen for bone loss in the jaw.
  2. Weakened grip strength: Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men due to having smaller, thinner bones and the decrease of estrogen at the onset of menopause. Studies of postmenopausal women and their overall bone mineral density revealed that weaker handgrip strength can be an indicator of lower bone density. Those with stronger grip strength were also less likely to fall and get injured.
  3. Weak, brittle fingernails: Nail strength can be a good indicator of bone health. However, weak and brittle fingernails don’t always mean there is a problem. It could just be the result of swimming frequently, gardening or participate in other activities that may affect your nails.
  4. Loss of height: The most notable symptom of osteoporosis is the loss of height due to compression fractures in the spine. Unfortunately, by the time you notice this symptom your bones have already significantly deteriorated and is considered later-stage osteoporosis.
  5. Back or neck pain: There are many causes of back or neck pain, but regardless of the reason it can significantly impede your everyday activities. Compression fractures of the spine caused by osteoporosis may also cause pinched nerves that radiate out from the spinal cord. You may experience mild tenderness or debilitating pain.
  6. Stooped posture: Compression fractures may also cause slight curving of the upper back, or stooped posture. The medical term for this is kyphosis, but you might commonly hear it referred to as a widow’s hump.

Contact Paris Orthopedics

Osteoporosis can be prevented by building strong bones during childhood and adolescence. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or fear you may be at risk, the team of medical professionals at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine can help.

Our experts are committed to the diagnosis, treatment, and education for the primary and secondary prevention of osteoporosis. Schedule an appointment with the Paris Orthopedic Bone Health Clinic today.

Joint Replacement

Is Joint Replacement Surgery Right for You?

Joint replacement surgery is often recommended for patients who are unable to perform everyday tasks, such as sleeping, without difficulty and pain. State-of-the-art technology has made joint replacement surgery more successful, resulting in increased popularity among both physicians and patients.

According to a study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in 2014, the number of total knee replacements more than tripled and the number of total hip replacements more than doubled between 1993 and 2009. Despite booming popularity, these procedures are still considered major surgery and the decision should not be taken lightly. Here are 8 questions to ask yourself to help determine if joint replacement surgery is right for you:

  1. Have I tried all recommended non-surgical treatment methods? Joint replacement surgery should only be pursued when non-surgical treatment options have been exhausted. These may include topical or oral medications, injections, holistic remedies, exercise, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or mobility assistive devices like a cane or walker.
  2. Have I made all the recommended lifestyle changes? To achieve the full benefits of any treatment method including surgery, your doctor may advise you to make lifestyle changes. You may need to lose weight, stop smoking, or make adjustments to your activity level.
  3. Can I live with the pain I’m experiencing now? If the level of pain you are experiencing is negatively affecting your daily life, or if the side effects from pain medication are harmful to your health, surgery may be the best option.
  4. Has the pain gotten worse over time? If you’re experiencing high levels of pain, pain that has grown worse over time; or pain regardless of if you are moving or resting, joint replacement surgery may provide relief.
  5. Is minimally-invasive joint replacement surgery an option? Minimally-invasive joint replacement involves joint realignment, ligament reconstruction, and arthroscopy–all of which are performed through tiny incisions. This option is an outpatient procedure with a quicker, easier recovery.
  6. Am I in otherwise good health? Beyond the joint pain, it is important to be in good overall health prior to undergoing joint replacement surgery. Your physician will conduct an evaluation to determine if you are healthy enough to withstand the anesthesia and rehabilitation process.
  7. Am I dedicated to the recovery process? Joint replacement surgery isn’t an instant solution–it’s a process. It’s important that you are committed to post-surgery rehabilitation in order to regain muscle strength, range of motion and good mobility. Doing too much too soon or not moving enough after surgery can both be detrimental to your surgical results.
  8. What is my insurance coverage? There is more to a joint replacement procedure than the surgery itself. You will also need rehabilitation, and may even require in-home care for a short period following. Know what your insurance covers and make sure you are able to cover any out-of-pocket expenses.

Are you experiencing chronic or severe joint pain? Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine has six expert physicians that can help you determine if joint replacement surgery is right for you. Call 903.737.0000 to schedule an appointment today, or request an appointment online.

Sports Medicine

How to Prevent High School Sport Injuries with Good Nutrition

Now that it’s time for your high schooler to get back to sports, it’s important to educate yourself on how they can prevent high school sport injuries. One of the best ways to keep your teen healthy and injury-free is to promote good nutrition. Here are several tips that are essential for injury prevention and improved performance:

Stay Hydrated

Your teen should get into the habit of drinking plenty of water throughout the school day. This way, they are hydrated and ready to go when it’s time for practice or a competitive game. Staying hydrated will reduce their risk of headaches, fatigue, mental confusion, heat illness, and injury.

Eat Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel are vital for your high school athlete. While they are known to keep the heart in good shape, research has proven that omega-3s may also protect against concussions and other serious head and brain injuries.

Opt for a Pre-Game Snack

Before any practice or game, encourage your teen to eat a pre-game snack. Some examples of excellent pre-game snacks which are portable and okay to keep in a backpack or locker include homemade trail mix, fruit, pretzels, and granola bars. Pre-game snacks can provide energy for your teen’s working muscles and reduce their risk of high school sport injuries as a result.

Eat Immediately After a Game

Eating after a practice or game is just as important as eating before. A grilled chicken sandwich on whole wheat bread, salmon with steamed veggies, or an egg sandwich with a bowl of fruit are all great options. Proper post-game nutrition can help your teen’s body recover and prepare for the next time they play.

Avoid Fast Food

It may be tempting for your teen to stop into a local fast food joint after a game. While this is convenient, it can be very detrimental to their health. Regular fast food consumption may lead to unhealthy weight gain, weak bones and muscles, heart problems, diabetes, and the increased risk of high school sport injuries.

Choose Foods & Beverages with Vitamin D

Vitamin D can improve bone health as well as mood and cognition. Your high schooler should try to get 400 to 800 units of vitamin D each day. Foods such as cheese, eggs, milk, almonds, and tofu all contain vitamin D.

Contact Paris Orthopedics

Despite your teen’s efforts to eat healthy, they may experience an injury while playing a high school sport. If this occurs, contact us right away to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists.