Sports are an ideal way for stepfathers to engage and bond with their new family members. Getting out and working up a sweat together will build teamwork within your new family unit while everyone has a good time.
However, you’ll want to be prepared for any curveball, it is vital to ensure you are equipped with the knowledge to recognize and treat any injury. Here are four of the most common sports injuries and how to treat them.
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments in the ankle tear or stretch out too far. According to UPMC Sports Medicine, this type of injury is especially common in sports involving a lot of jumping or fast movements, including basketball, volleyball, tennis, and soccer.
Signs of an ankle sprain include swelling, tenderness, and bruising. Most ankle sprains will clear up on their own in a few weeks with proper rest, icing, and elevation. You should also have your child wear an ankle brace to keep the ankle stable and increase your child’s comfort when walking.
Chipped Tooth
It is not uncommon to have to deal with a chipped tooth, especially when playing contact sports such as football and rugby. According to North Austin Dentistry, as a general rule, when more than 30–50% of the tooth is damaged, you’ll need a crown, but every situation is different.
Part of being a leader of your blended family is minimizing the risk of chipped teeth by ensuring a safe athletic experience.
Concussion
Head injuries are scary, especially to parents in a blended family who might not be as familiar with a child’s personality or temperament. A concussion occurs from a sharp blow to the head.
According to Piedmont Healthcare, this traumatic brain injury can seriously affect the overall function and health of the brain. Signs of concussion include confusion, dizziness, aching head, nausea, and amnesia.
Some symptoms may not show up for days, making a concussion especially tricky to diagnose. If you suspect your child may have a concussion, it is important to seek the help of a medical professional immediately.
Fractures
Bone fractures are one of the most common sports injuries in children. An acute injury to a bone may be traumatic to young children, but fortunately, these injuries usually heal in 4–6 weeks and without lasting damage.
If you believe your child may have fractured a bone, they need to be evaluated by a professional and be given an x-ray. In some cases, they may need to get a cast on whatever bone they broke.
Make sure they give the broken bone plenty of rest to avoid aggravating the injury. They should also not put too much pressure on it so it can heal properly.
Encouraging your blended family to participate in sports together will build teamwork and create lasting memories. To keep the fun going, you will need to watch out for these common sports injuries and treat them as they happen. This will ensure your family stays safe as you play together.
With the winter season slowly approaching, there’s bound to be a lot of winter sports. Here’s how to respond to and prevent winter sports injuries.
