Citation

Shanmugam C, Maffulli N. Br. Med. Bull. 2008; 86(1): 33-57.

Affiliation

Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Keele University School of Medicine, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, British Council, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/bmb/ldn001

PMID

18285352

Abstract

Introduction Sports injuries in children affect both growing bone and soft tissues, and can result in damage of growth mechanisms with subsequent lifelong, growth disturbance. This clinical review unfolds the incidence and distribution, physiology, injury characteristics and the prevention modalities. Methods A comprehensive in Medline literature search was performed, and the reference lists of sports injuries related journals and text books was consulted. Results During growth, there are significant changes in the biomechanical properties of bone. In young athletes, as bone stiffness increases and resistance to impact diminishes, sudden overload may cause bones to bow or buckle. Fractures that are initially united with some deformity can completely remodel, and the bone may appear totally normal in later life. Discussion/conclusion Most injuries caused in children's sports are minor and self-limiting, suggesting that children and youth sports are safe. The training programmes should take into account their physical and psychological immaturity, so that growing athletes can adjust to the changes in their bodies.

Language: en