Ask an orthopaedic surgeon: Are children getting more injuries as they return to sport after lockdown?

Professor Adrian Wilson says children are getting more injuries – and advises on common problems and how to treat them.

Are children getting more injuries as sport resumes after lockdown? How can you tell if an injury needs hospital treatment?

Professor Adrian Wilson, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Cromwell Hospital in London says: “Yes, in our paediatric sports medicine clinic we’re seeing a rise in children suffering with sport injuries. Many children haven’t played sport at the same level or been part of a regular sports team since before lockdown, and this means their muscles and joints aren’t conditioned in the way they previously were.

“The faster sports injuries can be assessed and treated, the better the outcome. We’ve seen many injuries left untreated, which extends recovery time as well as being painful for your child.

“Assess the injury and how much pain your child is in – if you think it’s a break or if it’s a head injury then take them to A&E as soon as possible.

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