Leaders at Advanced Orthopaedic Specialists (a department of LRGHealthcare) are coming together with other sports medicine and youth organizations to promote the STOP Sports Injuries campaign. The campaign educates athletes, parents, athletic trainers, coaches, and healthcare providers about the rapid increase in youth sports injuries, the necessary steps to help reverse the trend, and the need to keep young athletes healthy.

The STOP Sports Injuries campaign includes teaching proper prevention techniques, discussing the need for open communication between everyone involved in young athletes’ lives, and encouraging those affected to advocate for sports safety. The campaign Web site and pledge are available at STOPSportsInjuries.org.

Sports injuries among young athletes are on the rise. According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high school athletes, alone, account for an estimated two million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations every year.

LRGHealthcare is a not-for-profit healthcare charitable trust representing Lakes Region General Hospital, Franklin Regional Hospital, and affiliated medical providers. LRGHealthcare’s mission is to provide quality, compassionate care and to strengthen the well-being of our community.