The sports medicine team consisting of Orthopedists from Core Physicians and physical/occupational therapists and certified athletic trainers from Exeter Hospital are collaborating with a coalition of national organizations and corporations to help launch the STOP Sports Injuries campaign.
The campaign will educate athletes, parents, trainers, coaches and healthcare providers about the rapid increase in youth sports injuries, the necessary steps to help reverse the trend and the need to keep young athletes healthy. STOP Sports Injuries campaign highlights include teaching proper prevention techniques, discussing the need for open communication between everyone involved in young athletes’ lives and encouraging those affected to sign The Pledge.
“We are proud supporters of the STOP Sports Injuries campaign, which is directly aligned with our mission to improve the health of communities we serve,” said Loree Hazard, Orthopedic Service Line Administrator at Exeter Hospital. “As the number of sports injuries among young athletes has steadily increased, implementing a national campaign that focuses on sports injury prevention through education and awareness to young athletes, parents and coaches is more important now than ever. We are excited to join this effort, make a positive impact on young athletes at the local level and promote sports safety and injury prevention to youth sports organizations in the NH Seacoast region.”
In recent years, there has been a significant amount of research into sports-related concussion in student athletes. Having a major need for managing head injuries and providing a safe return to activity for student athletes after a concussion, Core Orthopedics, under the direction of Joseph Bernard, DO, Sports Medicine Specialist, will be a resource and provide expertise for concussion management in the community.
Sports injuries among young athletes are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high school athletes, alone, account for an estimated two million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations every year.
The high rate of youth sports injuries is fueled by an increase in overuse and trauma injuries and a lack of attention paid to proper injury prevention. According to the CDC, more than half of all sports injuries in children are preventable.
“Regardless of whether the athlete is a professional, an amateur, an Olympian or a young recreational athlete, the number of sports injuries is increasing – but the escalation of injuries in kids is the most alarming,” said Dr. James Andrews, president of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and STOP Sports Injuries Co-Campaign Chair. “Armed with the correct information and tools, today’s young athletes can remain healthy, play safe and stay in the game for life.”
Organizations and corporations involved in the collaboration include: the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association and Safe Kids USA.
Supporting the STOP Sports Injuries campaign are the country’s leading sports medicine organizations along with professional athletes and business leaders who have signed on as members of the campaign’s Council of Champions. This Council will help raise additional awareness about this growing epidemic of youth sports injuries. Some of the founding members of the Council include former Olympic champions Christie Rampone, Eric Heiden and Bonnie Blair, professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr, MLB baseball player John Smoltz, NFL Hall of Fame defensive end, Howie Long and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.