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Teenage athletes are injured at about the same rate as professional athletes, but injuries that affect high school athletes are often different from those that affect adult athletes. This is largely because high school athletes are often still growing.

Growth is generally uneven: Bones grow first, which pulls at tight muscles and tendons. This uneven growth pattern makes younger athletes more susceptible to muscle, tendon, and growth plate injuries.

Injuries among young athletes fall into two basic categories: overuse injuries and acute injuries. Both types include injuries to the soft tissues (i.e., muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage) and bones.

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries are caused by a sudden trauma. Examples of trauma include collisions with obstacles on the field or between players. Common acute injuries among young athletes include:

• Contusions (bruises)
• Sprains (a partial or complete tear of a ligament)
• Strains (a partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon)
• Fractures (broken bones), including stress fractures
• Concussions

A twisting force to the lower leg or foot is a common cause of ankle fractures, as well as ligament injuries (sprains).

Reproduced and modified with permission from The Body Almanac. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2003.

Overuse Injuries

Not all injuries are caused by a single, sudden twist, fall, or collision. Overuse injuries occur gradually over time, when an athletic activity is repeated so often that parts of the body do not have enough time to heal between playing.

Overuse injuries can affect muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and growth plates. For example:

• Overhand pitching in baseball can be associated with injuries to the elbow.
•  Swimming is often associated with injuries to the shoulder.
• Gymnastics and cheerleading are two common activities associated with injuries to the wrist and elbow.

Bone stress injuries are another common overuse injury in young athletes.

Bone is in a constant state of turnover — a process called remodeling. New bone develops and replaces older bone. If an athlete's activity is too great, the breakdown of older bone occurs rapidly, and the body cannot make new bone fast enough to replace it. As a result, the bone is weakened and stress fractures can occur — most often in the shinbone and bones of the feet.

A stress fracture is a common overuse injury in young athletes. 

Whether an injury is acute or due to overuse, a high school athlete who develops a symptom that does not go away with rest or that affects their athletic performance should be examined by a doctor. Untreated injuries could lead to worse injury, permanent damage, or disability.

Athletes often downplay their symptoms in order to continue playing. Coaches and parents should be aware of the more common signs of injury, such as:

• Pain with activity
• Changes in form or technique
• Decline in athletic performance, such as losing velocity on pitches or posting slower times in races
• Pain at night
• Decreased interest in or ability to practice

A player's injury must be completely healed before they return to their sport.

In the case of a joint problem, the athlete must have

• No pain
• No swelling
• Full range of motion
• Normal strength

In the case of concussion, the athlete:

• Must not have any symptoms at rest, at school, or with exercise
• Should be cleared by the appropriate medical provider

Media stories about the early return to competition by professional athletes following injury create the impression that any athlete with proper treatment can return to play at the same ability level, or even better.

It is important for players, parents, and coaches to understand that, depending on the type of injury and treatment required, the young athlete may not be able to return to the game at the same level of play — no matter how much effort is put into injury rehabilitation.

Many high school sports injuries can be prevented through proper conditioning, training, and equipment, and by getting enough sleep and having a healthy diet.

• High school athletes require sport specific training to prevent injury.
• Many injuries can be prevented with regular conditioning that begins before the sports season starts.
• Injuries often occur when athletes suddenly increase the duration, intensity, or frequency of their activity. Young athletes who are out of shape at the start of the season should gradually increase activity levels and slowly build back up to a higher fitness level.
• It is essential for young athletes to be taught and to use proper technique for the position they are playing.
• Proper equipment — from the right shoes to safety gear like helmets and pads — is also essential. Make sure equipment is both appropriate for the sport and fits the athlete correctly. Replace any equipment that is broken, worn out, or does not fit.
• In addition, injuries can be prevented when athletes understand and follow the rules of the game, and display good sportsmanship.

Because many young athletes are focusing on just one sport and are training year-round, doctors are seeing an increase in overuse injuries. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has partnered with STOP Sports Injuries to help educate parents, coaches, and athletes about how to prevent overuse injuries. Specific tips to prevent overuse injuries include:

• Limit the number of teams on which your child plays in one season. Athletes who play on more than one team are especially at risk for overuse injuries.
• Do not allow your child to play one sport year-round (specialize). Taking regular breaks and playing other sports are essential for both skill development and injury prevention.