Prevention and treatment of sports injuries.

It has been estimated that one-third of all children between 6 and 14 years old are involved in some type of organized sports activity. These facts and figures serve to demonstrate that many children seen by the nurse practitioner will be participating in sports. This article describes important issues in counseling and educating parents, children, schools and coaches; screening examinations for participation; common injuries to the young athlete and treatment of injuries. By intervening in these aspects of sports participation, nurse practitioners may be able to protect young patients both psychologically and physically from the hazards of inappropriate athletic programs.