Staying in the game: Preventing and treating sports injuries at any age
Daniel Elkin, MD, is a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Salem Health Orthopedics, specializing in knee and shoulder care.
Dr. Elkin said one of the most common questions he hears from patients is: What injuries should I be concerned about for my sport or age?
“Whether you’re a young athlete, a weekend warrior or someone staying active later in life, understanding injury patterns, prevention strategies and treatment options can make all the difference in keeping you healthy and moving,” he said.
Most common injuries by age
In child and teen athletes, Dr. Elkin said he often sees growth plate injuries, ACL tears in the knee and shoulder dislocations.
“These usually happen with high-impact sports such as soccer, football, basketball or gymnastics,” he said. “Because children are still growing, injuries need to be handled with special care to protect long-term development.”
In college and young adults, the orthopedic surgeon said the most common injuries are knee ligament tears and shoulder instability.
For active adults, patients are more likely to face rotator cuff injuries, meniscus tears and cartilage damage.
“In patients over 60, degenerative conditions such as arthritis, rotator cuff tears and meniscus degeneration become more common,” Dr. Elkin said. “These injuries may occur with lower-impact activities or even daily movement.”
Injury prevention
Across the board, the orthopedic surgeon has advice on how to prevent sports injuries.
He suggests maintaining strong muscles around the joints through conditioning and using proper technique to reduce stress on the joints. Dr. Elkin also recommends cross-training.
“Mixing activities like cycling, swimming or yoga helps prevent overuse injuries,” he said.
Finally, the orthopedic surgeon suggests prioritizing sleep and days for rest, as well as seeking early evaluation when a patient feels pain or instability.
When surgery is needed
In some cases, that evaluation could lead to surgery, which can prevent re-injury.
“When needed, surgery restores stability and function,” Dr. Elkin said. “For example, ACL reconstruction or rotator cuff repair can allow athletes to return to sports while reducing future risks of arthritis or repeat injuries.”
From specialized expertise to personalized recovery plans, Dr. Elkin said the care at Salem Health Orthopedics sets the practice apart from the rest.
“Our goal is not only to treat your injury but to help you stay strong, active and doing what you love,” he said. “Every treatment is designed around your lifestyle — whether that means returning to the soccer field, the pickleball court or simply enjoying pain-free daily activity.”
Orthopedic care
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