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Preventing Overuse Injuries: An Overview with Dr. Henry Ellis & The National Council on Youth Sports

Preventing Overuse Injuries: An Overview with Dr. Henry Ellis & The National Council on Youth Sports

by | Jan 29, 2025 | Sports Medicine

Pediatric orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert Henry B. Ellis, M.D., spoke with the National Council on Youth Sports about Preventing Overuse Injuries in Youth Sports. Here are the key takeaways from his webinar:

 

What is an overuse injury?

Ellis: Overuse injury is defined as repetitive loading over a period of time. When an overuse injury occurs, it is the result of microtearing in tissues and cartilage while the body is unable to recover and heal. These injuries often occur around growth plates, which are the areas of cartilage that attach to muscles found in children and adolescents. Microtears and stress on the growth plates lead to an inflammatory process and an overuse injury. Inflammation causes pain, which is the body’s way of telling the athlete to slow down and give it time to heal.

 

What is sports specialization?

Ellis: Sports specialization is associated with injuries and overuse. Some things that qualify as sports specialization include training in a specific sport year-round (more than eight months a year), quitting all other sports to focus on one sport, or choosing to focus on one main sport overall. Variety in sports is healthy all-around. All athletes need an off-season to do something different to avoid causing an overuse injury.

 

How do you tell the difference between typical soreness after activity versus an overuse injury? 

Ellis: A myth is that when you are not sore after training, you are not training hard enough. In children, the body is not meant to be sore or have discomfort after activities. When children are sore, it signals that they are doing too much and could have an overuse injury. Children’s bodies are growing and developing, and because of this, their healing capabilities are different than that of an adult.

 

What are some common overuse injuries?

Ellis: Many overuse injuries are related to growth plates around different bones in the body. Hamstring problems in a dancer are common due to repetitive movements such as high kicks causing an overuse injury known as apophysitis, which causes pain and inflammation around a growth plate. Another common overuse injury seen in basketball players is Osgood-Schlatter, which affects the growth plate at the top of the shinbone (tibia) just below the kneecap. This is often due to repetitive jumping and running. In runners and sprinters, it’s not uncommon to find overuse injuries around the growth plate near the hip flexor. In gymnasts and baseball pitchers, we see another condition called osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow. This condition happens when a bone underneath cartilage no longer supports it, leading to pain and inflammation.

Stress Fractures are another common injury seen across all sports. They happen when repetitive loading in a bone creates tiny microfractures. The body normally heals these microfractures, but when an athlete is doing an action repeatedly, the body can’t keep up with healing. This could be due to lack of adequate rest or nutrition, and the body says enough is enough.

 

What could be the source behind an increase in overuse injuries in youth sports?

Ellis: We know that in the last 20 years, overuse injuries in youth sports are up at least 600%. As parents of a young athlete, it can be hard to pull in the reins on the amount of an activity they not only love, but that you love experiencing with them. We’re also seeing an increase in sports specialization and the commercialization of youth sports, leading to more pressure for young athletes to perform.

 

How can families prevent overuse injuries in their young athlete?

Ellis: Working as a family to monitor activity and staying involved with your child’s coach to keep an eye on training commitments can help prevent overuse injuries. Balancing multiple sports is beneficial, but extreme participation can lead to injuries. As a rule of thumb, try to balance the weekly hours of activity with a child’s age – less activity and training for younger children and more as they age. We’re not concerned about children being in sports all year-round, but those sports need to be different and allow for different activities in different seasons.

A good method to prevent overuse injuries is following the 70/30 rule. The 70/30 training rule helps prevent injuries by balancing sport-specific training and conditioning. For example, if you have a swimmer in the pool for seven hours one week, balance that with three hours of dry land training to avoid too much repetition in movements.

 

What are some other factors that contribute to overuse injuries in young athletes?

Ellis: Adequate sleep is crucial for recovery and performance, and a lack of sleep increases injury risk. Proper sleep and nutrition are probably two things we don’t talk enough about. If an athlete sleeps less than eight hours, they have a higher risk of becoming injured and may have delayed recovery from injuries.

Nutrition is also vital to preventing injuries such as stress fractures, a concerning overuse injuries. Proper fueling after training and competition help athletes recover and prepare for the next session or game.

 

To watch Dr. Ellis’ full webinar, please visit the National Council on Youth Sports on YouTube.

 

A Legacy of Love: 50 Years of Giving Back Through Volunteering

A Legacy of Love: 50 Years of Giving Back Through Volunteering

by | Jan 28, 2025 | General News, Spotlight

To Sandra Thompson, Scottish Rite for Children is an opportunity to enrich the lives of others. This February marks Sandra’s 50th year of volunteering, making her the longest-serving volunteer at Scottish Rite. For dedicating more than 15,000 hours of service, Sandra was awarded with a pin by President and CEO Robert “Bob” Walker, which serves as a symbol of her unwavering support to Scottish Rite’s mission of giving children back their childhood.

For more than 30 years, Sandra served as a flight attendant at American Airlines, and in 1975, she chose Scottish Rite as the place she would devote her expertise in customer service. Initially, she volunteered in the Inpatient Unit, giving toys to the children and brightening up their days. Some of her fondest memories include watching the patients grow from young children into healthy adults with their own families.  

Today, Sandra can be found at the popcorn desk, popping and serving fresh popcorn every Monday morning. She has trained several volunteers in this role over the years, earning her recognition of being a reliable volunteer.

Words that Sandra lives by are: “Learn to enjoy the moment since all things change. Accept what you are given, and make the most of life.”

We celebrate Sandra not only for the hours she has given but also for the love she has shared to make Scottish Rite a better place for all!

When Can I Return to Sports? Concussion Recovery for Athletes

When Can I Return to Sports? Concussion Recovery for Athletes

by | Jan 23, 2025 | Sports Medicine

Over 7 million teens play high school sports in the U.S., and millions more kids play in youth and recreational leagues. Athletics are a great way to make friends, stay active and learn life lessons. However, sports can also lead to dangerous concussions. Just like a sprained ankle, concussions take time to heal. Parents and young athletes need to understand how long concussion recovery takes and why returning to play takes time.

 

Understanding Sport-Related Concussions

A concussion is a type of brain injury that happens after you are hit in the head or body by another person or an object. This blow can cause the brain to bounce around, leading to chemical changes in the brain. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and just like any TBI, it can be serious.

As soon as you suspect your child or teen has experienced a concussion, speak up. Learn the symptoms of concussion, and remove your athlete from a practice or game if you notice any of these signs after an injury:

  • Appearing confused, dazed or stunned
  • Balance problems
  • Changes in behavior
  • Losing consciousness
  • Memory issues, such as forgetting plays
  • Seizure, particularly with tension or stiffness in the arms or legs

 

Early Diagnosis for Successful Concussion Recovery

The first crucial step to healing after a concussion is getting athletes the medical care they need as soon as possible. Early intervention, and an accurate diagnosis from a physician who specializes in concussions, can help children and teens get back in the game sooner.

A pediatrician or concussion specialist can provide an assessment for treatment and may refer you to a neurologist or sports medicine expert, depending on symptoms. Young athletes may need neurocognitive testing to evaluate the extent of their injury.

 

Steps to Ease Healing

Concussion recovery can differ from athlete to athlete, but it typically takes weeks, not days, for the brain to heal. Taking the time needed to recover from a concussion is crucial to ensure proper healing.

Your young athlete’s medical provider will give you a treatment plan to help them gradually return to physical activities. It’s important to recognize that complete rest is no longer recommended. Concussion researchers, including those at Scottish Rite for Children, have found that returning to daily activities within two to three days helps children and teens feel better and recover faster than with total rest.

When your child or teen returns to school, talk to teachers and school administrators about the learning environment and any necessary schedule modifications.

Other steps to improve concussion recovery include:

  • Avoiding caffeinated drinks
  • Limiting screen time, which can worsen symptoms
  • Spending time with family members and friends to avoid isolation
  • Staying hydrated
  • Taking pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen as recommended

Also, help your child or teen get sufficient sleep every night. Contrary to what many people think, sleep should not be avoided after a concussion. Our researchers have found that insufficient or poor-quality sleep slows recovery.

Athletes should get:

  • Nine to 12 hours of sleep per night if they are ages 6 to 12
  • Eight to 10 hours of sleep per night if they are ages 13 to 18

Most children and teens recover from a concussion within a few weeks. However, scheduling an appointment with an experienced doctor who has managed concussions is recommended if symptoms get worse instead of better. Some children develop post-concussive syndrome, a condition that can last months after the concussion.

 

Ready to Get Back in the Game?

Returning to play should be approached with caution for athletes of all ages. The University Interscholastic League recommends a health care provider with experience managing concussions should clear an athlete before he or she starts the progression to return to play. Your child’s school or coach may have additional protocols.

Typically, after an athlete is symptom-free, back in school and handling daily activities, he or she can start steps to return to sports, including:

  • Light aerobic exercise, such as riding a stationary bike or light jogging for 10 to 15 minutes
  • Sport-specific activity for 20 to 30 minutes with increased exertion, such as a running drill
  • Non-contact training drills with resistance training, such as ball handling or passing drills

Progression to the next step should occur only if no symptoms return during this activity or for 24 hours after. With a physician’s clearance, athletes can start full-contact practice, such as scrimmages. They may be cleared for competitive play after being symptom free for 24 hours after a vigorous practice.

Talk to a health care provider if symptoms return at any stage of these steps, either during training exercises or within 24 hours after.

Throughout your child’s or teen’s recovery, work closely with the school’s athletic trainer, if one is available, and ensure your athlete follows the provider’s directions closely before returning to sports, especially contact sports.

 

If your young athlete has recently experienced a concussion, Scottish Rite for Children sports medicine specialists are here to help. Request an appointment today.

Get to Know Our Staff: Rowana Moreau, Dental

Get to Know Our Staff: Rowana Moreau, Dental

by | Jan 22, 2025 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?   
I am a clinical dental hygienist. My role is to help provide checkups and cleanings to our patients at Scottish Rite. I also assist our dental manager with daily activities in the clinic, including scheduling surgeries, ordering supplies and managing clinic flow.

 

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
It’s definitely the kids. Being able to provide care to our patients is very rewarding. A smile from them can brighten my whole day.

 

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
There is always a little magic in the air at Scottish Rite. It’s a place where everyone feels included and cared for.

 

What made you choose a career in health care?
I always loved to help people, so I chose a career where I could work in a nonprofit setting and provide care to an underserved population. I am also a total science nerd, and I love to learn new things. I feel like I get to all of that at Scottish Rite!

 

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
We sing a lot in dental. If you haven’t heard us in the hallways, you should swing by sometime. Many of our patients get nervous before their appointments, and they ask us to sing to calm them down.

 

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
My two passions outside of work are gardening and yoga. I have spent the past few years putting together an extensive vegetable and flower garden. I also have practiced yoga for more than 20 years and love the way it makes me feel.

 

Do you have any hidden talents?
I am really good with a hammer! In 2018, I bought a fixer-up house and spent two years gutting and remodeling it.

 

Where are you from and what brought you to DFW?
I was born and raised in Dallas.

 

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would love to travel to Spain. It is the one country in Europe I haven’t been able check off my travel list.

 

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I would choose chicken, as well as macaroni and cheese with fried okra. It reminds me of my childhood. Must be the southerner in me!

 

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
Everyone should watch “Groundhog Day”. I think if we all had a chance to re-do one day, we would learn that the way we treat each other is one of the most important things to remember.

 

What was the first concert you attended?
New Kids on the Block.

 

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
My favorite is the Balcony Club in East Dallas. It’s the cutest jazz bar with live music every night, almost like a time capsule of the 1980s.

 

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
I would choose Scarlett Johansson.

 

What is some advice you would give your younger self OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
If I could give my younger self advice, I would say don’t worry so much about how the world sees you. You should worry more about doing better each day.

Juju Displays His Winning Spirit at the 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Juju Displays His Winning Spirit at the 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

by | Jan 21, 2025 | General News, Neurology

Scottish Rite for Children patient Juju, of Mesquite, Texas, cheered on The Ohio State University Buckeyes as their honorary captain at the 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

In a 28-14 victory against The University of Texas, football fans across the country gathered to watch the matchup and also learned about Juju’s inspiring story on the jumbotron. Over the last six years, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic has donated more than $90,000 to Scottish Rite for Children, supporting the ability to provide world-class care for children, like Juju

At age 6, Juju represents resilience. He was born with myelomeningocele, a form of spina bifida, which is a complex condition that occurs when the spine does not close properly during development. He and his family came to Scottish Rite to receive care from the Spina Bifida Program at 2 months old, beginning his care journey with a multidisciplinary team of experts.

Juju is known to light up any room he enters! One of his favorite parts about visiting Scottish Rite is spending time with his occupational therapist Grace Evasco. Better known to him as “Gracey-Grace,” Grace has introduced Juju to new activities that he loves, such as throwing the ball around with friends and family.

As Juju continues to make amazing progress through his care journey, we are here to cheer him on! Watch his exciting Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic experience here.