Pediatric Sports Medicine

What is the difference between a sports medicine specialist and an orthopedic surgeon?

Pediatric sports medicine providers specialize in the prevention, evaluation, and management of sports-related illness and/or injury that might occur to your child, teen, or young adult. This may include any of the following: pre-participation sports physicals, injury prevention education, sports psychology issues (including eating disorders), nutrition and supplement issues, injury evaluation and treatment, fracture care (non-surgical), sprains and strains, low back pain (incidental or chronic), dislocations, ligament and cartilage injuries, avulsions and bone stress fractures, apophysitis, tendonitis, injury from overuse, spondylolysis (back stress fractures), exercise-induced asthma, concussion, impact of diabetes in sports, heat illness, second opinion concerning surgery, and more.

Both are well trained in musculoskeletal medicine.

Sports medicine specialists, however, focus in the non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, (approximately 90% of all sports injuries are non-surgical).

Sports medicine specialists also have additional expertise in non-orthopedic problems, for example, concussion, exercise-induced asthma, and nutrition.

Pediatric sports medicine specialists are board certified through the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Who can be treated by a Sports Medicine specialist?

Sports medicine specialists are ideal physicians for athletes and non-athletes alike, and are excellent resources for the individual who wishes to become active or begin an exercise program. The same expertise used for the competitive athlete can be applied to return an individual to full function as quickly as possible.

If your pediatrician suggests that your child or teen see a pediatric sports medicine specialist, you can rest assured that the specialist has a wide range of treatment options, extensive training, and expertise in dealing with children and teens. Consider pediatric sports medicine as one more way to help your child reach his or her full potential.

• Achilles Tendon Sprain or Rupture
• Adhesive Capsulitis
• Ankle Sprain
• Arm Fracture (Including Elbow & Shoulder)
• Bursitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Chronic Pelvic Pain
• Elbow Fracture & Dislocation
• Hip Fracture & Dislocation
• Hip / Knee / Shoulder Joint Pain
• Internal Derangement of Knee
• Knee Fracture & Dislocation
• Knee Sprain
• Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
• Leg Fracture & Dislocation
• Leg Fracture Above & Below Knee (Including Hip & Ankle)
• Low Back / Lumbar Spine Pain
• Medial Epicondylitis (Golf Elbow)
• Minor Injuries
• Myofascial Trigger Point Injection
• Occupational Injuries
• Osteoarthritis (Including Hip & Knee)
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
• Pediatric Care
• Sports Physicals
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear
• Shoulder Fracture & Dislocation
• Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
• Sports Injuries
• Sprains
• Viscosupplementation with Hyaluronate

Patients may choose to seek care on their own or they may be referred by their primary care provider or other specialist. It is important to consider insurance requirements, such as a referral, before consulting with a specialist.