Musculoskeletal sports injuries of the upper limb in children

Abstract

The participation of children and adolescents in sports is advantageous in many ways regarding their physical and mental health, promotes cooperation and socialization between them, prevents diseases, such as obesity, and also sets the base of a healthy lifestyle in adulthood. In addition, childhood per se is characterized by an increased level of physical activity. Nevertheless, despite the multiple benefits of physical activity, it does not lack the possibility of unfortunate events or harmful conditions. The inner need of the athlete for excellence and recognition, the effort to reach or keep on an elite level of sports, early sports specialization, and pressure derived from family and coaches often lead to sports injuries-diseases either acute or chronic. Many of these conditions sometimes are underestimated or undiagnosed in the Emergency Department, especially if the main complaining symptom does not correlate with the disease. This non-systematic literature review aimed to identify the most common upper limb sport related-injuries and conditions among pediatric athletes. These injuries are described into groups depending on the anatomical area e.g shoulder girdle, elbow joint, and wrist.