Common Pediatric Injuries And How Physiotherapy Can Treat 21th June 2023

Like adults, children may also be prone to physical injuries for various reasons. It's important to note that most injuries are minor and heal with appropriate care and rehabilitation. However, some injuries can have long-term consequences if not properly addressed. Parents, caregivers, and coaches must prioritise safety, provide proper supervision, promote injury prevention measures, and ensure that children receive appropriate medical care and rehabilitation if injuries occur.

The reason behind paediatric injuries

Some factors can contribute to a prolonged susceptibility to injuries. Here are a few factors that may increase the risk of long-term physical injuries in children:

Growth and development: Children go through periods of rapid growth and development, which can affect their coordination, balance, and motor control. During these growth spurts, their bones, muscles, and joints may be more vulnerable to injuries. As a result, they may be more prone to accidents or overuse injuries.

Participation in physical activities: Children are often highly active and engage in sports, recreational activities, and play. While physical activity is essential for their development, it also increases the risk of injuries. Participation in contact sports or activities with a high risk of falls or collisions can lead to acute injuries or repetitive strain injuries.

Lack of experience and awareness: Children may lack experience and awareness of potential risks and safety precautions, making them more susceptible to injuries. They may not have fully developed their judgment, decision-making skills, or understanding of their physical limitations, which can increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

Poor technique or conditioning: Improper technique or inadequate conditioning can contribute to increased injury risk in children. Insufficient strength, flexibility, or endurance can make them more susceptible to muscle strains, ligament sprains, or stress fractures. Children need to receive appropriate coaching, training, and supervision to minimize the risk of injuries.

Most common injuries of kids treated by physiotherapy

Physiotherapists commonly treat a variety of injuries in children. Here are some of the most common injuries treated by physiotherapy in Kuala Lumpur are :

Sprains and Strains: Children often experience sprains and strains due to sports activities, falls, or accidents. Physiotherapy helps in reducing pain, promoting healing, and restoring normal movement through exercises, manual therapy, and modalities like heat or cold therapy.

Fractures: Fractures are common in active children. Physiotherapy plays a vital role in the rehabilitation process after the cast is removed. It focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, and range of motion through exercises and functional activities.

Sports Injuries: Children involved in sports can suffer from various injuries, such as ligament sprains, muscle strains, tendonitis, and overuse injuries like Osgood-Schlatter disease or Little League elbow. Physiotherapy helps in reducing pain, improving strength, and flexibility, and enhancing sports-specific skills through targeted exercises and specialized techniques.

Postural Issues: Poor posture can lead to musculoskeletal problems in children. Physiotherapists assess and address postural issues through exercises, ergonomic advice, and education to promote proper alignment and prevent long-term complications.

Growth-related Conditions: Children may experience growth-related conditions like Sever's disease (heel pain), Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome (knee pain), or Osgood-Schlatter disease (knee pain). Physiotherapy focuses on managing symptoms, reducing pain, and providing guidance on activity modification.

Joint Instabilities: Joint instability, such as shoulder instability or patellar instability, can occur in children. Physiotherapy aims to strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve stability, and restore function through specific exercises and stabilization techniques.

Developmental Delays: Physiotherapy also addresses developmental delays and motor skill impairments in children. Therapists use various techniques and exercises to promote motor development, balance, coordination, and mobility.

Post-surgical Rehabilitation: Children may require physiotherapy after surgical procedures, such as orthopaedic surgeries or surgeries for congenital conditions like clubfoot or hip dysplasia. Physiotherapy in Kuala Lumpur helps in optimizing post-operative recovery, promoting healing, and restoring functional abilities.

It's important to note that the range of injuries treated by physiotherapy in Kuala Lumpur can vary widely depending on the individual child's activities, age, and specific conditions. A thorough assessment by a qualified physiotherapist is crucial to determine the appropriate treatment plan for each child.

VL Therapy, a popular physiotherapy center in Malaysia works successfully with hundreds of patients with various difficulties and is dedicated to providing a world-class service for every individual. A team of experienced educated and professional physiotherapists is providing various modern treatment plans for musculoskeletal physiotherapy to make all patients regain their health as per the need for looking not just at the immediate, but also to ensure that the relief becomes sustainable. To know more about the services please visit the official website  http://www.vltherapy.com.my/.