EDITOR'S NOTE: On Wednesday, Oct. 21, Raising Arizona Kids (@RAKmagazine) and Cardon Children's Center (@CardonChildrens) co-hosted a live Twitter chat featuring sport medicine specialist Udall Hunt, M.D.. Following is the transcript of that event. 

RAKmagazine: Let's get started! Dr. Udall, do boys and girls experience different injuries? What are the most common among boys versus girls?

Dr. Udall: Girls have four times the increased risk of an ACL injury versus boys, but ACL injuries are common in both groups. Sprain injuries are probably the most common among athletes.

RAKmagazine: What sports injury is most preventable?

Dr. Udall: Spine injuries in football players are more preventable with safe, fair play and correct tackling techniques.

RAKmagazine: What sports tend to result in dangerous injuries?

Dr. Udall: Cheerleading results in the catastrophic injuries for girls. Football and contact sports are the most dangerous for boys. 

RAKmagazine: Is overuse and repetitive stress an issue if a child plays the same sport/position all year long?

Dr. Udall: Yes, crosstraining and rest between seasons is encouraged. Baseball is especially bad for overuse injuries.

RAKmagazine: (question from audience) What can I teach my 4-year-old now that will improve his chances of avoiding sports injuries later on? 

Dr. Udall: Stretching, strengthening and lots of rest are best for early prevention.

RAKmagazine: Is it healthy for kids to play the same sport year round? If/when they do, what should parents watch for?

Dr. Udall: It is better on the body to take a break from sports between seasons. If a child is doing sports year round, rest each week is important. 

RAKmagazine: Is there such a thing as resting too much that it could actually lead to injury?

Dr. Udall: Long periods of rest result in muscle weakness, so gradual return to a sport is better than fast return, to prevent injury. 

RAKmagazine: (question from audience) Seems like parents are getting their kids involved in sports at younger ages. How young is too young?

Dr. Udall: I don't think it's ever too young, as long as parents aren't pushing their kids into something they don't want to do. 

RAKmagazine: Do children need to reach puberty before weight training? If so, why? What can kids do pre-puberty to build strength and muscles that protect against injury? 

Dr. Udall: That issue is still up for debate. Light weight training should not affect growth negatively. Staying in shape and a gradual ease into sports helps. Pre-puberty kids are more at risk for overuse injuries. Rest is key!

RAKmagazine: (question from audience) Is it necessary for a 4-year-old to wear shin guards for soccer? 

Dr. Udall: 4-year-olds don't have enough power to do a lot of damage to shins but each league might have different rules for shin guards. 

RAKmagazine: Great lead-in to the next question. Is there any basic protective gear every child should wear, no matter the sport?

Dr. Udall: Good shoe wear is important for foot variations and can prevent knee/ankle injuries.

RAKmagazine: How do parents know when a child needs to see a doctor for a sport-related injury?

Dr. Udall: Any time a child complains of pain for more than one to two weeks, they should see a physician.

RAKmagazine: (question from audience) Any kind of pre-game/post-game meal recommended for young athletes? 

Dr. Udall: Pre-game should include simple sugars for energy. Good post-game snacks include chocolate milk, a great recovery drink. Eating a balanced meal after a game is good. 

RAKmagazine: (questiong from audience) What's the best way to balance the sides of your body if you are playing sports that are one-side dominant (i.e. baseball, tennis)? 

Dr. Udall: There will always be some asymmetry but working biceps/triceps/deltoids on both arms can help keep the balance. 

RAKmagazine: How do coaches/trainers decide when an injury is serious enough to merit the athlete being pulled from game?

Dr. Udall: Any concussion or swelling from the joint means the child should sit out until an evaluation from a doctor. 

RAKmagazine: How long do breaks take to heal versus sprains? 

Dr. Udall:  Breaks average about six weeks, whereas sprains are anywhere from two to 12 weeks depending on severity and location. A bad knee sprain can take up to 12 weeks to heal. 

RAKmagazine: What is the difference between playing "hurt" (sore muscles, for example) and playing "injured"?

Dr. Udall: A little pain is okay. A lot of pain is the body's way of telling you to stop.

RAKmagazine: What are the signs a child has suffered a concussion? What is the procedure for treatment? 

Dr. Udall: Loss of consciousness is most obvious. Long-term effects include: headaches, poor school performance, or an inability to concentrate. The most important thing is a child must be taken out of play after a concussion. A neurology visit is important in the case of a moderate to major concussion. Second-hit syndrome is when an athlete sustains two concussions in one game. This can lead to major problems or even death.

RAKmagazine: For pulled muscles and minor injuries, what treatments can be performed at home? 

Dr. Udall: Stretching, icing, ibuprofen and compression are good at-home remedies for pulled muscles or minor injuries.

RAKmagazine: When should a child being taken to the ER versus waiting for a doctor’s appointment? 

Dr. Udall: A child should be taken to the ER in the event of concussions, chest pain and fractures. Otherwise, the doctor’s office the next day is good for most other injuries.

RAKmagazine: Are there exercises parents can have kids do at home or at team drills/warm-ups to decrease chance of injury? 

Dr. Udall: General warm-ups and stretching before games are good. ACL tear prevention programs have shown to decrease injury risk as well. 

RAKmagazine: Are there certain vitamins children can take to decrease joint and muscle strain?

Dr. Udall: If poor diet is the norm, then vitamins can be taken. Vitamins generally won't decrease rate of injury to muscles or bones. Generally, osteoporotic fractures aren't seen in young athletes, more so in older patients.

RAKmagazine: Last question, what are the pros and cons of sports drinks?

Dr. Udall: In this climate, it is important to replenish electrolytes, which are found in sports drinks. The con of sports drinks is the expense. Chocolate milk has been shown to outperform sports drinks post-workout.

Cardon Children’s Center has more information about sports medicine at http://bit.ly/1n2v5V.