The Kinds Of Repetitive Stress Injuries In Teens

RSI’s are common in the growing, changing world of active teens. Knowing what to look for in some of the more common injuries may help in their prevention. Read on to learn more:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome manifests in swelling inside a narrow “tunnel” formed by bone and ligament in the wrist. This tunnel surrounds nerves that conduct sensory and motor impulses to and from the hand, causing tingling, numbness, weakness and pain. Repeated motion from activities such as texting or playing video games may be the cause.

• Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in teens, especially those who are undergoing a growth spurt. Frequent use and physical stress, such as running long distances, can cause inflammation at the area where the kneecap attaches to the shinbone.

• Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion for a joint. Signs of bursitis include pain and swelling. It’s associated with frequent overhead reaching, carrying overloaded backpacks, and overusing certain joints during sports.

• Tendonitis is a tearing and inflammation in the tendons, the rope-like bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. Tendonitis is associated with repetitive over-stretching or from overuse of certain muscles.

• Epicondylitis is characterized by pain and swelling at the point where the bones join at the elbow. It is commonly called ”tennis elbow” because it frequently occurs in tennis players.

• Shin splints occur along the front of the lower leg. They are commonly found in runners and are usually harmless, but they can be painful and difficult to differentiate from stress fractures.

• Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone’s surface caused by rhythmic, repetitive overloading. They occur when a bone comes under repeated stress from jumping, marching, walking, or running on uneven surfaces or in worn-out running shoes.

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to RSIs – although impatient teens may not want to warm up, cool down, stretch or give up texting! Summer is almost here and we are here to help – give us a call, today: St. John (219) 365-0220; Crown Point (219) 661-8661; Lowell   (219) 696-6353.