Musculoskeletal Injuries in Kids and Chiropractic Care

Do you know children's musculoskeletal systems are different than adults? That's because children's bones are continually growing, which is very important in terms of your child's risk of suffering an injury during athletic activity. Physical activity is extremely important for everyone, but especially for children. A well-designed exercise program enhances their physical and intellectual development. Competitive sports are often a child's first introduction to programmed exercise. Younger children are allowed to participate in sports for enjoyment but this changes as competitive elements become more dominant; subsequently, young athletes train harder and longer, practicing throughout the whole year. Consequently, with increased participation and increased physical demands have come increased sports-related injuries.

Growing Bone vs. Mature Bone: To understand pediatric injuries that involve the musculoskeletal system, it's important to be aware of the differences between children and adults in this regard. Children's bones are growing; adults' bones have stopped growing. This bone growth happens in two ways - by growing lengthwise and widthwise. The bone grows lengthwise in an area at the ends of the bones called the epiphyseal plate or growth plate, in the region known as the metaphysis. The widthwise growth occurs on the surface of the bone. Growing bone has inherent areas of weakness. Children's tendons and ligaments are relatively stronger than the growth plate; therefore, with severe trauma, the growth plate will give way before the ligament. On the other hand, children's bones and muscles are more elastic and heal faster compared to adults.

Growing Bone Means Unique Injury Risks: Due to the differences in growing bone, the patterns of injuries are different from mature bone. There are two main types of bone injuries: one is an acute injury in which violent forces are applied at one time; the second is from chronic, recurring stresses applied to the bone over a prolonged period of time. Growth plate injuries can cause cessation (stoppage) of growth of the bone, resulting in limb-length discrepancy, angular deformity or altered joint mechanics; possibly causing permanent disabilities. The chronic recurring stresses are often termed overuse syndromes, but also include stress fractures which can lead to changes that affect the joints, causing early arthritic changes or complete fracture. Adolescents who are in the peak period of linear growth - often termed a growth spurt - are most vulnerable because of imbalances in strength and flexibility and changes in the biomechanical properties of bone. Sports involving contact and jumping have the greatest injury risk. Most chiropractors are aware of these injuries and the potential causes related to the growing musculoskeletal system. They have been uniquely trained to understand the musculoskeletal system, making them excellent resources for the management of sports injuries.

*** CHIROPRACTIC care helps create healthy kids!!