Gymnastics (Care of the Young Athlete)

Wrist injuries

Because gymnasts walk and jump on their hands, significant force (sometimes 2 to 4 times their body weight) is put on the wrists. As a result, most gymnasts complain of wrist pain at some point. Gymnasts are particularly at risk for injuries to the growth plate of the wrist as well as stress fractures of the forearm, tears in the wrist cartilage, and scaphoid fractures.

Treatment begins with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Athletes should see a doctor if their wrists are swollen or painful the next day. X-rays may be needed.

The risk of these injuries can be reduced by a gradual increase in activity intensity, proper skill progression, proper warm-up and conditioning, and the use of wrist braces.

Elbow injuries

Elbow sprains, fractures, or dislocations can occur when a gymnast lands on an overextended elbow. Loss of blood supply to an area of bone and cartilage, a condition called osteochondritis dissecans, can cause an inability to straighten the elbow and locking, catching, or swelling of the elbow. Gymnasts are at risk of these injuries from the repetitive forces placed on the elbow joints.

Treatment begins with RICE. Athletes should see a doctor if their wrists are swollen or painful the next day. X-rays may be needed.

Ankle and foot injuries

Ankle sprains are common, and a strength training program that includes balance and theraband exercises is recommended for both treatment and prevention. Sever's disease (heel pain from inflammation of the growth plate of the heel bone) can happen when an athlete's bare foot impacts the ground. Use of a Cheetah ankle brace (or a Tuli's heel cup in an ankle brace) cushions the ankle while performing gymnastics events.

Knee injuries

Both acute and chronic knee injuries are seen in gymnastics. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears commonly occur with dismounts and floor exercises. ACL prevention programs, which teach proper landing and stopping techniques and include hamstring strengthening exercises, should be part of the conditioning of all gymnasts. The athletes' young ages and hours of practice make pain in the front of the knee common (Osgood-Schlatter disease, patellar tendinosis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome).

Treatment begins with RICE. Athletes should see a doctor as soon as possible if they cannot walk on the injured knee. Athletes should also see a doctor if the knee is swollen, a pop is felt at the time of injury, or the knee feels loose or like it will give way.

Athletes who return to play with a torn ACL risk further joint damage. Athletes with an ACL tear are usually unable to return to their sport.

Low back pain

Spondylolysis, stress fractures in bones of the lower spine, is a common injury in athletes who do a lot of jumping, tumbling, and back-bending activities. Symptoms include low back pain that feels worse with back extension activities like back walkovers or back handsprings. Gymnasts with low back pain for longer than 2 weeks should see a doctor. X-rays are usually normal so other tests are often needed to diagnose spondylolysis.

Blisters

Training on the bars, horse, or rings often causes calluses or blisters (also called rips by many gymnasts). These can be prevented by using chalk (to decrease friction), leather grips, and regular shaving of calluses that do develop.

Female athlete triad

Female athlete triad is a term used to describe the unhealthy combination of eating problems (not getting enough calories), menstrual problems (absent or infrequent periods), and low bone density (weak bones). Many female gymnasts try to stay thin for appearances, or to be a lighter weight for mastery of difficult moves. Parents and trainers should be on the lookout for rapid weight loss or abnormal eating behaviors to prevent an eating disorder.

Burnout

Burnout can occur to gymnasts with long hours of training, year-round participation, and pressures to advance. This is common among athletes who began training at very young ages or those forced to "retire" or miss a season after an injury. Athletes should be watched carefully and counseled if burnout is suspected.

For answers to additional questions about injuries, injury prevention, and safe training practices, talk with your doctor or a physical therapist.