Banffy told CBS 2 news correspondent Jamie Yuccas that, although the muscles of young people are “a little more supple,” sprains and strains can still be common among youth athletes if they are not “warming up properly” or “wearing the proper equipment.”

He added that tendon injuries are common in baseball or basketball, because “if someone’s throwing a lot, they can have issues with their elbow or with their shoulder.”

Banffy told Yuccas protective equipment for each sport—and each person—is important.

“It’s not something that you necessarily want to pass down if there are siblings,” he said. “It needs to be very individualized for the particular athlete.” 

Banffy told Yuccas parents also should watch for signs of a concussion if their child experiences a blow or jolt to the head or body.

“Obviously, if there’s loss of consciousness, that’s a no-brainer,” he said. “But, you know, even nausea, a little bit of confusion, those very simple signs … probably the kid should not be playing.”

Banffy told Yuccas parents may want to make a doctor’s appointment for their child before they begin a sport.

“There could be medical issues that the provider needs to address, such as asthma, maybe even a heart condition, and then musculoskeletal—if there’s any sort of issue with a joint, if there was a prior injury that wasn’t necessarily addressed, I think those are important to take a look at,” he said.

“And then also, immunizations—if they happen to participate in a sport such as wrestling, where there’s a lot of contact, you want to make sure they’re up to date on everything.”

Click here to watch the entire segment from CBS 2.

The four newly named leaders have extensive expertise in surgical and nonsurgical sports medicine, enhancing patient care for athletes at all levels.

“Cedars-Sinai continues to build a world-class sports medicine program, and we are thrilled to recognize these outstanding leaders,” said Mark Vrahas, MD, chair of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics. “Their combined expertise, passion for treating athletes and commitment to innovation will further elevate our ability to provide leading-edge care to patients at all levels of competition.”

Michael Banffy, MD, has been named chief of Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai. Banffy, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint preservation, complex cartilage restoration and advanced hip, shoulder and knee arthroscopy, has extensive experience working with professional athletes. He is a team physician for the Los Angeles Rams and an orthopedic consultant to Major League Baseball players and Loyola Marymount University Athletics. Banffy completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a fellowship in sports medicine at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.

Casey Batten, MD, and Joshua Scott, MD, have been appointed co-directors of Non-Operative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Batten, the lead primary care sports medicine physician for the Los Angeles Rams, was recently named chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. He is a primary care sports medicine specialist who focuses on the nonsurgical treatment of athletic injuries and illnesses. Batten earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed his family medicine residency at the University of Tennessee and a sports medicine fellowship at the UC Davis/UC Berkeley Sports Medicine Program.

Scott is a primary care sports medicine physician who is the chief medical officer for the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team. A former Division I NCAA track and field athlete, Scott completed his residency in pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina and fellowship in sports medicine at the University of South Carolina. He is a team physician for Angel City Football Club and a Venue Medical Officer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles. 

Clarence Shields, MD, has been named medical director of Team HEAL (Helping Enrich Athletes’ Lives) at Cedars-Sinai. Shields, a past president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, has dedicated his career to sports medicine and improving access to care for underserved student athletes. A longtime leader in the field, Shields has been an NFL physician and an orthopedic doctor for the Los Angeles Rams. He founded Team HEAL in 1994 to provide high school athletes with certified athletic trainers, injury treatment and preventive education. Since its inception, Team HEAL has supported more than 30,000 student athletes in Los Angeles.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Champions for Young Athletes

Taking the right precautions can help athletes at all levels to stay in the game and avoid unnecessary setbacks.

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Michael Banffy, MD, chief of Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics, to learn how to prevent common spring sports injuries and safely ease back into an active lifestyle.

What are the most common springtime sports injuries?

Banffy: As people get back into their sporting activities, if they haven't done much during the winter, they have a higher risk of soft tissue injuries like muscle pulls, ligament strains or even sprained ankles. If they push too hard, too fast, they may also develop chronic overuse injuries like tennis elbow or shin splints.

For example, if someone decides to start running again and immediately goes out for a 10-mile run, they’re putting themselves at risk for injury. Instead, gradually building up—starting with 1 or 2 miles and progressing from there—can help condition the muscles and joints properly.

How can sports injuries be prevented?

Banffy: You don’t want to go from zero to 100. It’s important to have some level of physical activity—even if it’s not your main sport—so that your muscles stay strong and flexible. Strength training and flexibility exercises, such as yoga or Pilates, are essential to maintaining muscle balance and joint stability.

Cross-training is also key. In baseball, for example, we strongly encourage players not to play year-round. Athletes want to be the best and may think that constant practice is the way to get there, but overuse leads to injury. Doing something different in the offseason—like throwing a football instead of a baseball—uses a different biomechanical motion that can help preserve joint health while maintaining overall fitness.

How can you tell if it’s muscle soreness or an injury?

Banffy: Most of us experience muscle soreness as we get back into any activity, and that’s normal. Typically, soreness will resolve with rest. But a true injury usually happens suddenly during the activity.

For example, if you’re playing tennis and suddenly feel a pop in the back of your leg, that’s likely an acute injury that needs medical attention. In contrast, if you just feel general muscle fatigue after playing, that’s expected and can be managed with stretching and recovery techniques.

What are some recovery tips?

Banffy: If it’s mild soreness or a low-grade strain, stretching and light movement can help. Oral anti-inflammatories like Advil or Aleve can also help manage discomfort.

Other key recovery strategies include getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and allowing proper rest between activities. Research shows that dehydration is directly linked to muscle injuries, especially hamstring strains. If you're not drinking enough fluids, your muscles are more prone to fatigue and strain.

To stay properly hydrated, plan ahead and make sure you have enough liquids during activities—especially if you're exercising in hot weather, where your hydration needs increase. Pairing hydration with adequate sleep and proper nutrition will help your body recover and reduce the risk of injury. If pain persists or worsens, it’s important to seek medical advice to rule out a more serious injury.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Play Like the Pros—Take a Break