Dr. Vangsness' tips for parents of kids in sports, school season checklist

By April MacIntyre Aug 11, 2010, 18:57 GMT

World renowned sports medicine specialist Dr. Thomas Vangsness is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the USC Keck School of Medicine, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon for over 20 years, a team doctor for the world famous Trojans and an advisor to several medical TV shows including “Grey’s Anatomy”.

Have a kid in soccer football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, golf, tennis or hockey?

A bit of preparedness can save a lot of grief and suffering from any injuries your child sustains while participating in sports at school.

Now that we are well into August and the new school year is upon us, parents are running around the city looking for the latest or newest or most popular clothing and gadgetry to prepare Junior for the school year.  But, this is also the time to update their home emergency health kit.

With the popularity of sports and other after-school activities, children and teens at this time of year are more susceptible to injury on the playground or at the practice field.  We live in a society where faster, stronger and tougher are applauded in games but there can be physical repercussions.

It is mandatory that all parents of active kids have the right tools on hand in case of an emergency. 

World renowned sports medicine specialist Dr. Thomas Vangsness is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the USC Keck School of Medicine, a Board Certified  Orthopedic Surgeon for over 20 years, a team doctor for the world famous Trojans and an advisor to several medical TV shows including “Grey’s Anatomy”.  

Dr. Vangsness works closely with youths in sports and is also the founder/ director of Inner City High School Team Physicians  in Los Angeles.

Monsters and Critics caught up with Dr. Vangsness, who has offered out readers a useful list of what every parent should have in their home health kit:

1.       Band-Aids – clean the wound and surrounding area with soap and water before  applying the band-aid.

2.       Ace wraps – it is essential that you learn how to properly wrap an ankle, hand, arm etc.  The bandage should be wrapped lightly around the area to keep down the swelling until medical care is sought.

3.       Ice Bags - either store bought or ice in zip lock bags works just as well, apply to the swollen area for 20 minutes at a time for 72 hours; 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.  Do not use heat.

4.       Contact lists - include all the doctors your child has visited in the last year. Also list how to contact both parents or a guardian with work/cell numbers.  I would also include the number of your insurance company.  It is important to keep this list updated at all times.

5.       Allergy list - of all your family members.  It is easy to get very stressed out when you are dealing with an injured child.  This is the time that most family members forget about the simple things… including allergies, it is important to know if your mother or your brother or your cousin is allergic to latex, for example.  There is a slight possibility that a young family member might also suffer from these allergies and they just haven't discovered that yet.

6.       Crutches - Hold on to old crutches or a cane if you already have them.  You never know when you might need a pair just for a few days to take the weight off while recuperating.

For more information on Dr. Vangsness please visit his website here