How to Recognize and Treat Shoulder Injuries in Youth Soccer

Sometimes it seems that soccer players are on the grass as often as they are on their feet. Sliding tackles and falls on slippery fields can result in shoulder injuries.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Medical kit

1. Know why shoulder injuries occur. They are usually the result of a fall on an outstretched arm.

2. Understand the damage. Shoulder injuries can range anywhere from a dislocation to ligament damage. It all depends on how the player breaks a fall and at what angle the arm hits the ground.

3. Recognize the risks. Unfortunately, dislocation of the shoulder may cause damage to the surrounding ligaments. This can leave a player prone to future dislocations of the same shoulder.

4. Be ready for the treatment. The first time a shoulder is dislocated, it is usually immobilized in a shoulder sling for three to six weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Inquire about getting a magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) test. A doctor can see whether there has been any associated ligament or tissue injury.
• Ask about future risk. An MRI can sometimes show whether future dislocations should be a cause of concern to you and your child.
• Make sure a medical kit is kept on the sideline and that the coach or another parent is trained in first aid.

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