And while accidents happen, certain very common injuries are easily avoided. When you know which injuries are the most common, you're more likely to be able to avoid them. These are the three most common injuries in the U.S. UU.
Strains are by far the most common of all sports-related injuries, simply because we use a lot of muscles and tendons when exercising or playing. All of these moving parts are likely to stretch more than they should, or move in ways they shouldn't move, leaving them broken, damaged and in pain. Common muscle strains include hamstring strain, groin muscle strain. Most strains are minor and heal naturally.
The best way to reduce the risk of muscle and tendon strain is to warm up and stretch before doing strenuous activity. Sprains are for ligaments what strains are for muscles. Ligaments are the tissues that connect bone to bone. When these ligaments twist incorrectly, they can pull or break.
Ankle sprains are perhaps the most common type of sprain among athletes, followed closely by knee, wrist, and elbow sprains, etc. Sprains can be painful, take longer to heal than strains, and sometimes require immobilization to protect against future injuries. Pre-workout stretches and warm-ups can help prevent sprains, as well as practice good technique in the sport you're playing. Sprains often leave the ligament weak and susceptible to future sprains, so if you have a history of sprained knee or ankle, for example, it would be a good idea to support that joint with a brace while playing.
Below, we discuss the most common childhood injuries and accidents that our Regions Hospital Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center team sees every day and what you should do if it's time to go to the hospital. Falls are the leading cause of injury among children. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that approximately 8,000 children receive treatment in the U.S. Emergency rooms for fall-related injuries every day.
In addition, while falls are the most common injury in children of all ages, babies and toddlers are especially prone to falling. Little humans simply don't have the same control of movement and balance as older children and adults. Of course, there are numerous best practices for preventing childhood falls that can help reduce the chances of suffering a serious injury. But falls can happen in an instant.
Head, Neck, Back or Spine Injuries and Broken Bones Top the List. More specifically, these injuries can often need the highest level of trauma care, or what is often referred to as Level 1 trauma care. Why? These types of injuries can be more complex, which may require expert attention from a variety of specialists. Learn more about what to do if your child falls and hurts himself.
There are millions of car accidents every year. Along with falls, these accidents are the most common causes of nonfatal injuries among teens. Whether your child is riding in your family's car or riding an all-terrain vehicle in the North Cabin, car accidents can happen at any time. And teens between the ages of 16 and 19 are at greater risk of a car accident than any other age group, according to the CDC.
Car accidents can cause a range of injuries, some obvious and some subtle. And even low-speed accidents can leave children with an injury. But more serious lacerations or perforations are relatively common, especially in children between 5 and 14 years old. In fact, it's the fourth most common reason for an emergency room visit for children between 1 and 4 years old.
Level 1 trauma centers, such as ours at Regions Hospital, have the staff, resources and experience to provide the highest level of care possible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In fact, our pediatric trauma program includes an ongoing partnership with Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, an internationally renowned children's healthcare provider just steps from the Emergency Wing of Regions Hospital. Learn more about Regions Hospital's Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, the only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in the Eastern Metropolitan Area, centrally located. If you hurt yourself, stop playing.
Continuing to play or exercise can cause more damage. Treatment often starts with the RICE method (rest, ice, compression and lift) to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed healing. Other possible treatments include pain relievers, preventing the injured area from moving, rehabilitation, and sometimes surgery. In the U.S.
Nearly a third of all childhood injuries are sports-related injuries. By far the most common injuries are sprains and strains. That said, the risk of injury obviously shouldn't deter you from playing sports, but by being aware of some of the most common sports injuries, you can take steps to prevent them or at least reduce the risk of injury. Most deep cuts or punctures usually occur after another injury common to children occurs, that is, a serious fall or hit by something.
More common in contact sports, such as soccer, a concussion occurs when a sudden impact on the head causes the brain to wobble inside the skull, sometimes damaging the tissues that hold it in place. Let's look at eight possible common athletics-related injuries and possible preventive measures you can take. . .