Specific treatment for an overuse injury will be determined by your child's doctor based on:
- Your child's age, overall health and medical history
- Extent of the condition
- Type of condition
- Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the condition
- Your opinion or preference
The goal of treatment is to control the pain, promote healing, prevent complications, and restore normal use of the injured area.
Initial treatment for overuse injuries includes R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression and elevation).
Be sure to consult your child's doctor if there is a prolonged, visible deformity of the affected area, or if severe pain prevents use of the arm, leg, wrist, ankle or knee.
Other treatment options may include:
- Medications
- Activity restrictions
- Splint or cast
- Crutches or wheelchair
- Physical therapy (to stretch and strengthen the injured muscles, ligaments and tendons)
- Surgery (especially if the injury is reoccurring, there is persistent pain, or if a muscle, tendon or ligament is badly torn)