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Drew McCann
Mrs.DeBock
English 4
14 April 2016
Athletic Injuries in Teens
Athletic injuries in teens are becoming increasingly more common due to such a large
amount of young kids participating in sports at an early age. By the time an athlete reaches high
school he or she could have been playing their sport for up to ten years. In sports today it is
necessary for a teen to understand the seriousness of a concussion caused by athletics, the role
and benefits of a physical therapist and rehabilitation after an injury, and what it takes to become
an orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine.
Some people dont know what a concussion is, here is the definition A concussion is a
mild form of a Traumatic Brain Injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head 11 Facts
about Concussions. Recently diagnoses of Concussion injuries have become more prevalent in
sports. While the length of recovery varies, 9 out of 10 people who suffer concussions symptoms
disappear within 7-10 days. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vison,
fatigue, or unconsciousness. It is estimated that 25% are not diagnosed by a medical
professional. The most common causes are sports related injuries. Many are results of football,
hockey, rugby, and basketball but all athletes are vulnerable to the risk. It is important to
understand that a concussion is a direct injury to the brain and it should be taken seriously.

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Often times athletes suffer injuries that will require being referred to a physical therapist.
Physical therapist are often an extension of the orthopedic surgeon who performs the surgery on
the teen with an athletic injury. Advances in medical technology have increased the use of
outpatient surgery therefore the recovery and rehabilitation services needed for these patients has
also increased. Physical Therapists help encourage the healing process through exercise, range
of motion movements, and other methods to help the athlete return to their sport as quick as
possible. Physical therapists require up to 4 years graduate education in addition to their college
degree. The average median salary for a physical therapist is $55,000-$84,000 annually that
averages out to about $33 an hour. According to the US Department of Labor, Employment in
physical therapy is projected to grow 36% by 2022. This is much higher than the national
average in other occupations Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. When going through
physical therapy, a teen will not always understand the benefits of the stretches and movements
they are asked to do, but the physical therapist has studied for many years how to perfect these
techniques.
Many children when asked what they hope to become when they are older, reply I want
to be a doctor. It is likely they do not realize the commitment and effort it takes to achieve that
goal. The path to becoming an orthopedic surgeon is even more extensive than becoming a
physical therapist. After completing a four year undergraduate program usually majoring in premed you enter into medical school for an additional four years. Then one will have a one year
internship, then one must apply to different hospitals for a four year residency program. This is
where you will work in your specific field. Once that is completed you serve a one year
fellowship in your desired specialty, such as sports medicine. That is a total of 14 years of
school. Doctors do make a lot of money, how much is the question? The average salary in

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2015 for an Orthopedic Surgeon was $435,238 annually(Doctor of Physical Therapy. Being a
surgeon requires focus, the ability to handle stress, and staying calm in a chaotic situation.
In sports today, it is necessary for a teen to understand the seriousness of a concussion
caused by athletics, the role and benefits of a physical therapist and rehabilitation after an injury,
and what it takes to become an orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine.

Ultimately

everyone who participates in sports hopes to finish their time playing without suffering any
injuries but if it does happen, it is helpful to know who will be helping you recover and what
they went through to get there.

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Works Cited

"11 Facts About Concussions." 11 Facts About Concussions. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2016
Colucci How to Become a Sports Doctor. Innerbody.com
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree Average Salary." Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Degree Salary, Average Salaries. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Ohtake Physical Therapy- Key Component of the Rehabilitation Team Department of
Rehabilitation, University of Buffalo.
Putukian. Mind, Body and Sport: How Being Injured Affects Mental Health. NCAA
"United States Department of Labor - Top Entry Level Employer." United States Department of
Labor Entry Level Jobs and Internships. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.