Cheerleading Injuries Treatment & Prevention

According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research (NCCSI), high school cheerleading represents 65.1 percent of all catastrophic sports injuries among females in the past 25 years. As cheerleading becomes more and more of a popular sport, females are reporting a steady increase in injuries.

These cheerleading injuries reported are not the ankle sprains and soreness typically seen in the sport, but account for disabling and serious injuries as well as fatalities. College cheerleaders have seen similar numbers in terms of associated injuries and catastrophic damages.

As gymnastic-type “stunts”, like tumbling, are continually added to the normal routines of cheerleaders across the country, the likelihood of injury and life-changing damage increases. Generally, the majority of cheerleading injury reports involved children ages 12 to 17 years of age. However, cheerleading has been known to welcome children as young as 5 years old into the sport.

Cheerleading ranks second in catastrophic sports injuries, second to football. If you or a loved one has suffered cheerleading injuries, a Palm Beach cheerleading accident lawyer from Gordon & Partners is prepared to help.

For more information about your case, please complete a Free Case Evaluation on this page.

Types of Cheerleading Injuries

As cheerleading shifted away from just cheering and moved up in the ranks as a serious sport, the level of competition began to grow tremendously. With that growth, gymnastic-type routines were added to the typical cheerleader’s program. Cheerleading has become a complex sport with a variety of associated potential injuries.

According to the NCCSI, female cheerleaders account for a staggering 50 percent of catastrophic, neck, head, and spine damages that female athletes suffer. While less catastrophic injures such as sprains and strains are typical, hospitals across the country continue to report severe injuries from patients participating in the sport.

Some of the most common types of cheerleading injuries include:

• Ankle Sprain
• Back Trauma
• Concussions
• Groin Pulls
• Hamstring Injuries
• Head Injuries
• Lacerations
• Neck Injuries
• Shoulder Trauma
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Spine Injuries
• Wrist Damage

If you or a loved one has suffered from any of these injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. A Palm Beach cheerleading accident lawyer of Gordon & Partners is dedicated to fighting for the injured.

Injury Treatment

Severe cheerleading injuries must been treated by a medical physician in order to ensure that every aspect of the injury is handled properly. However, many of the associated injuries with cheerleading are sprains and strains to the legs, ankles, and wrists.

As a result of these less severe injuries, trainers will often send the cheerleader home with ice because the injury did not warrant a hospital visit. In these situations, cheerleaders typically treat their injuries with the RICE method.

• Rest
• Ice
• Compress
• Elevate

Using the RICE process of treatment will reduce swelling and create the quickest path to recovery. Of course, if your injury is serious, a doctor must conduct an examination.

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How to Prevent Injuries in Cheerleaders

Accidents happen in an instant. However, taking certain precautions greatly reduces the likelihood of a cheerleading catastrophe. The parents, coaches, and trainers of young cheerleaders have an enormous responsibility to provide the safest means possible for their team.

As more and more regulations are being put in place to curb the number of cheerleading injuries each football season, there are certainly safety measures that parents, coaches, and cheerleading staff can take to help prevent injury.

The following steps should be taken to prevent cheerleading injuries:

• Coach must have CPR and first aid training
• Resistance exercises
• Regular stretching
• Spring board floors to cushion falls
• Always use mats

The above steps will help to prevent a cheerleading accident. However, parents must make sure that they fully research the coaches and trainers to ensure that they are equipped to handle any and all cheerleading mishaps. In addition, a sports medicine professional should always be accessible in the event of an accident.

Contact a Cheerleading Accident Lawyer

Cheerleading is a serious sport that can cause potentially serious injuries. At Gordon & Partners, we believe that those coaches and schools responsible for the well-being of their team must be held accountable for injuries suffered. If you or a loved one has experienced cheerleading injuries, a Palm Beach cheerleading accident lawyer is here to help.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation to get started.