There are basically three types of injuries: acute, overuse and chronic.

Acute injuries are typically the result of a single, recent (0-5 days) event. Common examples include: ankle sprains, shoulder strains/ dislocations and muscle strains.

Overuse injuries are subtle and usually occur over time, making them challenging to diagnose and treat. They are the result of repetitive micro-trauma to the tendons, bones, and joints. Common examples include swimmer's shoulder, "little league" shoulder/ elbow, runner's knee, jumper's knee, Achilles tendonitis and shin splints. Read more about Overuse Injuries.

Chronic injuries last over a prolonged period of time, usually three months or greater.

There are various reasons why an injury might occur:

• Improper training and technique
• Lack of correct equipment support
• Anatomic or biomechanical issues of an athlete
• Extreme forces placed on the body through hitting, running, cutting movements or impact, etc.

How can I tell if my child is injured?

Most children will let you know when they are hurt, but for those kids who try to "tough it out," parents and caregivers should watch for signs of injury such as:

• Avoiding putting weight on the injured body part
• Appearing to be in pain when using a particular body part (limping or not having "all out" ability)
• Experiencing unusual weakness or "giving out"
• Stiffness in the joints or muscles
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headaches during or after activity

Keys to Preventing Injury

• Get a pre-participation physical
• Perform proper warm-up and cool down exercises before and after an activity
• Obtain instruction on proper training and technique
• Increase training gradually
• Wear proper fitting equipment
• Stay hydrated
• Rest and take a break from multiple or continuous sports especially in the same season

Dowload a PDF of the entire Types of Injury article.

Read more about Strains, Sprains, Contusions and Tears.