[mediaman]

Now that school has started, local officials of the Arthritis Foundation are warning parents to be aware of potential problems resulting from sports injuries to students.

More than 30 million young people take part in organized sports, according to the foundation, and these activities can result in injuries leading to osteoarthritis. In a statement, the Foundation said, “ . . . according to one study, a single knee injury early in life can put a person at five times the risk for osteoarthritis later in life. Likewise, a hip injury can more than triple a person’s risk.”

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States, and “Children are at a higher risk to develop osteoarthritis if they get hurt playing a sport,” according to Marilyn Zeller, local program director for the Arthritis Foundation. “Parents can help their children by taking a few easy steps to prevent sports-related injuries.”


These are:
* Make sure equipment is in good condition.
* Let injuries heal completely.
* Check that the child’s training program gives attention to total body fitness.
* Ensure the child sticks to age-appropriate skills.

More information is available by calling 892-556, or visiting http://www.arthritis.org