Did you know that more than 20,000 children suffer from backpack injuries each year?
These injuries range from contusions, to sprains and strains to the back and shoulders as well as fractures.
“Back pain in children is not so uncommon anymore,” according to John Purvis, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic surgeons nationwide have seen an increase in children visiting their offices complaining of back and shoulder pain. If a child complains of back pain, parents should consider that it might be due to the backpack or perhaps something more serious. Back pain that persistently limits a child’s activities, requires medication or alters sleep patterns warrants investigation.”
While some experts disagree on whether heavy backpacks are the source of back pain in children, most agree that using good judgment when wearing one will reduce the risk of backpack-related injuries. It is important to partner with children on the selection, packing and caring of the backpack.
The golden rule in backpack safety is to make sure that the weight of the back pack does not exceed 20% of the child’s weight. For example, if the child weighs 80lbs, the weight of the backpack should not be more than 16lbs as it will risk more injury. It is also important, that when choosing a backpack, that both shoulder straps fit properly around the shoulders and snug around the back. This will ensure proper weight distribution.
As this month of August rolls in, have you children checked at our office in Livermore for backpack injuries and possible scoliosis with our complimentary evaluation August 16-20th. Avoid having your children grow up with spinal injuries by calling our office today!
