Sports-Related Injuries

September 17, 2007 (WLS) -- Did you know there are more injuries among high school football players than in any other high school sport? The concussion rate among high school players is greater than in collegiate football athletes? Concussions can cause traumatic brain injuries that last a lifetime? So how can football players and their parents tackle this issue and prevent injuries?

Dr. Preston Wolin, is director of the Sports Medicine Program and orthopedic surgeon at the Neurologic and Orthopedic Institute of Chicago. Wolin is also the team physician for the Chicago Fire soccer team, and for the St. Ignatius and St. Rita high school football teams. Dr. Wolin has been advising high school athletes for twenty-four years about the proper training, equipment and techniques used to play high-impact sports and stay injury free.

During his appearance on the morning news, Dr. Wolin says most football players and their parents don't understand many injuries can be avoided by taking simple precautionary measures. He says studies show knee and ligament injuries are the most common football injuries. Additional research reveals that loading of the cervical spine resulting from head-down contact is the primary cause of spinal cord injuries. Unfortunately many of today's football players are doing just that.

Some safety tips from Dr. Wolin:

• It's all about coaching. A good coach can make or break a game, and follows necessary rules to minimize the risk of injuries.

• Year-round conditioning is essential to an athlete's safety. Conditioning programs for football should promote endurance, flexibility, range of motion and upper and lower body muscle strength.

• Teammates should always play by the rules. Doing something illegal not only leads to penalties, but also may result in injuries.

• All offensive and defensive linemen should wear knee braces to protect knees and ligaments.

• All defensive players that tackle should wear a "cowboy collar," which is padding worn around the neck, to prevent neck injuries.

• Standard shoulder padding should be worn by all players, even quarterbacks. This may drag them down a bit, but it will protect them from getting hurt.

• Helmets should fit snug and move with the head.

• Parents should be supportive and listen to the coach. Parents who have played football think they know the rules, but football has changed dramatically since they were young. .

• If a player is injured, parents should consult a doctor who knows the game of football. An educated doctor won't allow a player to get back in the game if he/she risks further injury and won't sideline a player if it is unnecessary.

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