Report: More Kids Diagnosed With Sports Injuries

A new report out Monday finds more kids are now being diagnosed with sports-related injuries.  

The report finds that nearly 400,000 kids a year go to the E.R. for an injury that happened while playing basketball.  The most common injuries are strains or sprains. 

At William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Director Edward Walton sees the increase in diagnosis as a positive step.

"It used to be that anytime a kid, in the past, had what we call a ding -- or, you know, had their bell rung -- after fiftenn minutes they'd be back in the game. And, we're just finding out that that's not a safe practice," Walton told WWJ's Pat Sweeting.

"I think there's been a lot of discussion among pro athletes, especially among football players, that repetitive head injuries can be dangerous and have lifelong effects," he said.

Walton said that means more trainers, parents, coaches and players are becoming more aware that head injuries, in particular, are a risk in all sports.

According to the report, girls and young children experienced head and knee injuries while boys were more likely to be treated in emergency rooms for cuts, fractures and dislocations. But, it is suspected the numbers may not be completely accurate.

 Boys may be reluctant to report head injury related problems like headaches and dizziness for fear of being sidelined.

   (Copyright 2010 WWJ Radio.  All Rights Reserved.)