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Every year, nearly three million children visit the emergency room for help with a sports-related injury, and another five million see a primary care physician or sports medicine professional.

Playing sports teaches kids all kinds of lessons, that they shouldn’t be avoided just because of the risk of injury. Instead, it’s important to know how to prevent sports injuries so that you can help your child avoid being one of the millions who gets hurt every year. And, in the event that they do get hurt, you should also know the signs of common injuries so you can get them help as soon as possible.

Listed below are three of the most common sports injuries that send young athletes to the doctor, or you can try Desert Mobile Medical, each year.

1. Shoulder Dislocation

When the arm is held straight to the side and forced backward, a shoulder dislocation can occur. Young athletes are especially prone to shoulder dislocations because their joints are naturally looser.

When the shoulder becomes dislocated, athletes usually hear a loud pop and will feel a lot of pain in the shoulder. Other symptoms include:

• Visible deformities

• Bruising

• Swelling

• Joint immobility

To treat a shoulder dislocation, a doctor, EMT, or another medical professional will need to reduce it or put it back in place. This can be quite painful, but it’s necessary to restore mobility and prevent more serious issues.  

While you’re waiting for medical treatment, it’s important to use a sling or splint to hold the joint in place. Apply ice, too, to help minimize pain and swelling.

Young athletes can prevent shoulder dislocation by taking care to avoid falls and wearing protective gear when playing contact sports like football.

2. Meniscus Tear

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage shaped like the letter

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