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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Livingston, NJ — Most injuries resulting from athletic and recreational sports can be prevented with proper education, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).There are an estimated 4.3 million injuries related to sports each year with 1.9 million of those considered to be serious. Many of these injuries arise during unorganized or informal sports activities.
“An orthopedic surgeon’s job is to not only treat injuries,” said H. Mahmood Cheema, M.D., attending orthopedic surgeon and Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, “but also to educate patients on how to prevent them from happening again. For example, understanding what body parts can be affected and learning how to fall properly can prevent skiing injuries from occurring.”
According to the AAOS, implementing a safety program within a sport has been shown to reduce the rates of injuries. It is imperative to be aware that children – because they have less coordination, slower reaction times and are unable to assess dangers involved – are at a higher risk of injury.
Though the rate and severity of a sports-related injury increases with a child’s age, studies have shown that by the time they reach puberty, boys are more likely than girls to sustain a sports-related injury. Also, children who do not wear the proper protective gear or are new to a sport are at greater risk.
The Department of Surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center recommends the following advice to patients to help reduce the number of recreational and athletic sports injuries:
Have a physical exam to ensure healthiness prior to joining any new activity.
Wear properly fitting, appropriate protective gear when participating in all sports whether it is recreational, practice or a game situation.
For children, evaluate not only physical development and skill, but also social maturity before participating in a recreational sport. Make sure to match the skills, age, weight and maturity level with the sport.
Make certain that all participants are educated on the proper rules and techniques of the sport they are playing.
Ensure a safe playing environment.
Enforce safety rules.
All athletes should stay properly hydrated.
Have an emergency plan in place.
For a referral to a Saint Barnabas Medical Center orthopedic surgeon, please call 1-888-SBHS-123.
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