Orthopaedic surgeons in Ohio at OAZ support U.S. National Bone and Joint Awareness Week from October 12-20, started by the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade to significantly raise awareness of bone and joint diseases, which affect more than one billion individuals worldwide.

In support of National Bone and Joint Awareness Week, Shriner’s Hospital has posted these tips for parents:

Before kids go outside to play, be sure they:

1. Have appropriate, properly fitting, sports-specific equipment and protection for games and practices, and know how to use it.
2. Do conditioning, strengthening and stretching exercises appropriate to the sport or recreational activity.
3. Learn the proper technique for the movements of the game (pitching, swinging a bat, protecting a goal, etc.).
4. Know to take a break at reasonable intervals.
5. Agree to play by the rules.
6. Will stop playing if they experience pain or feel very tired.
7. Drink plenty of fluids, and know to stay hydrated during and after activity.

Tips to help your child avoid overuse or repetitive motion injuries:

1. Encourage involvement in more than one sport or activity.
2. Choose age-appropriate sports.
3. Make sure children are in the necessary physical condition for a sport or activity.
4. Be sure games and practices include warm-up and cool-down routines.
5. Provide appropriate shoes.
6. Stress the importance of staying hydrated.

More tips parents can use to help keep kids safe:

1. Be sure playing fields are properly maintained and appropriate to the activity.
2. Determine whether there is appropriate adult supervision in place for the program or activity. If supervision appears to be insufficient, especially in an organized activity or sport, ask questions.
3. Be sure equipment is in good condition before allowing your child to use it.

When on a playground:

1. Observe the 5-foot rule: Children under age 5 should not use playground equipment that is taller than 5 feet.
2. Be sure equipment meets applicable safety standards.

If you are suffering from bone and joint diseases and need an orthopaedic surgeon in Ohio, call the Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville at 740-454-3273.

Back-to-school time means fall sports! The Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville is ready to help athletes in southeast Ohio with our caring sports medicine team. We have board-certified physicians and physical therapists to treat the top ten sports injuries in Ohio.

1. Ankle Sprains: The most common of all ankle injuries, an ankle sprain occurs when there is a stretching and tearing of ligaments surrounding the ankle joint.
2. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries: ACL partial or complete tears can occur when an athlete changes direction rapidly, twists without moving the feet, slows down abruptly, or misses a landing from a jump
3. Broken Shoulder: A shoulder fracture typically refers to a total or partial break to either the clavicle (collar bone) or the neck of the humerus (arm bone). It generally is from an impact injury, such as a fall or blow to the shoulder
4. Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness: Muscle pain, stiffness or soreness that occurs 24-48 hours after unaccustomed, or particularly intense exercise.
5. Hamstring Pull, Tear, or Strain: Hamstring injuries are common among runners. The hamstring muscles run down the back of the leg from the pelvis to the lower leg bones, and an injury can range from minor strains to total rupture of the muscle.
6. Knee Pain: Knee pain is extremely common in athletes. In order to treat the cause of the pain, it is important to have an evaluation and proper diagnosis.
7. Shoulder Tendonitis, Bursitis, and Impingement Syndrome: These conditions are similar and often occur together. If the rotator cuff and bursa are irritated, inflamed, and swollen, they may become squeezed between the head of the humerus and the acromion.
8. Stress Fracture: Stress fractures in the leg are often the result of overuse or repeated impacts on a hard surface
9. Tendonitis: Tendonitis is a common sports injury that often occurs from overuse. Tendonitis can cause deep, nagging pain that is caused by inflammation of tendons. Treating tendonitis consists of rest, medication, physical therapy or changes to equipment or technique
10. Tennis Elbow: The number one reason people see their doctor is for elbow pain. It is considered a cumulative trauma injury that occurs over time from repeated use of the muscles of the arm and forearm that lead to small tears of the tendons.

If you’re suffering from any of these sports injuries in Ohio, contact Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville at 740-454-3273.