The Adolescent and the Aging Athlete

Who is the Aging Athlete?

Middle Aged 45-64yrs old

Elderly 65-84 Populations 85 years

plus are considered very old

Explosive population for the next several decades

Aging Athlete

Aging is more complex after the age of 65Some changes include:

Neuromuscular changesDecreased reaction timeStrength in muscles, tendons and ligaments

Common Injuries for this Age Group

Subacromial bursitis Adhesive capsulitis Subacromial

impingement syndrome

Trochanteric bursitis Back pathology

Degenerative meniscal tears

Partial tears of the triceps surae

Post traumatic ankle instability

Plantar fasciitis

Other Concerns

Strength, flexibility, balance

Osteoporosis/ osteoarthritis

Rehabilitation Considerations

Similar rehabilitation can be given to aging athletes

Caution and slower progressions should be used

Who is the adolescent athlete?

“period from beginning of puberty until maturity” –Girls: puberty begins at 10-14 years of age

Boys: puberty begins at 12-16 years of age Can be involved in

recreational or organized sport

Posture in Children and Adolescents

Faulty postureRequires repetitive assessment to

accurately record habitual posturesMay not require treatment due to the body’s

ability to realign itself during natural growth

Adolescent Sport Participation

Increased sport participation numbers = higher injury rates Swimming Jogging Basketball Volleyball Weight training

Intrinsic/ extrinsic factors Non-modifiable Modifiable

Prevention

Common Injuries/ Conditions seen in Adolescent Athletes

Epiphyseal plate injury

Apophysitis Fractures Avulsion Fractures Osgood-Schlatter’s Elbow Osteochondritis

dissecans

Swimmer’s shoulder Jumper’s knee Gymnast’s back Little League elbow tendinitis

Bone Growth

Skeletal immaturity Open epiphyseal

plates Skeletal maturity

Closed epiphyseal plates

Sport participation increases during bone growth years

Epiphyseal Plate Injury

Usually distal femoral, distal tibial, or proximal tibial

May produce a disrupted growth plate and cause permanent deformity

Apophysitis/ Avulsion Fracture

Common sites: Ischial tuberosity Pubic tubercle ASIS AIIS Lesser trochanter

MOI: abrupt muscular contraction

DD: muscle strain

X-ray: Rule out iliac crest

fx or avulsion fx Tx:

Fractures/ Dislocations

Upper extremity: Clavicle Proximal humorous

(stress fx) Wrist Scaphoid, TFCC

Elbow dislocations Single occurrence

Shoulder Instability

Rehabilitation Considerations

Skeletal immaturityProper treatment can allow for full healingMay require surgery if complications arise