Pediatric Sports Medicine
WashU Medicine pediatric sports medicine specialists care for children and teens with sports-related injuries and conditions. Our team treats everything from sprains, fractures and overuse injuries to ACL tears, joint injuries and sports-related concussions.
Our pediatric sports medicine specialists are also part of the St. Louis Children’s Young Athlete Center, a multidisciplinary program that brings together orthopedic care, sports medicine, physical therapy and other specialties to help young athletes safely return to the activities they enjoy.
Pediatric Sports Medicine Care
Care is available from diagnosis and treatment through recovery and return to activity. Services include:
- Evaluation and diagnosis: Quick access to specialized care, with same-day appointments available for many injuries. Our team provides a thorough evaluation to recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
- Imaging: On-site X-rays and low-dose imaging options are available when needed, to help diagnose injuries.
- Casting and splinting: Treatment for fractures and other injuries that need support while they heal.
- Nonsurgical treatment: Personalized care that may include activity changes, bracing, medication or physical therapy.
- Surgical treatment: When surgery is needed, our pediatric orthopedic surgeons provide specialized care for growing athletes.
- Pediatric fracture care: Specialized treatment for broken bones and growth plate injuries in children and teens.
- Concussion assessments: Evaluation and treatment for young athletes with a suspected sports-related concussion, including return-to-play decisions, management of post-concussion syndrome and neuropsychological testing.
- Sports physicals: Pre-participation sports physicals for grade school and college athletes are available.
Sports Injuries and Conditions We Treat
General Sports Medicine Injuries
- Fractures
- Stress fractures
- Dislocations
- Sprains
- Sports concussions
- Overuse injuries
- Growth plate (physeal) fractures
Shoulder and Elbow Injuries
- Little league shoulder
- Shoulder dislocations/instability
- Multidirectional shoulder instability
- Shoulder labral tears
- Rotator cuff tendonitis/tears
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Little league elbow
- Medial epicondyle fractures
- Olecranon stress fractures
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of capitellum
Hip Injuries
- Hip labral tears
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)
- Acetabular dysplasia
- Hip cartilage defects
- Increased femoral anteversion
- Femoral retroversion
Knee Injuries
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- Meniscus tears
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee
- Patellar dislocations/instability
- Anterior knee pain/patellofemoral chondromalacia
- Discoid meniscus
- Osgood-schlatter disease
- Shin splints
- Articular cartilage injuries (ACI)
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)/posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries
- Jumper's knee (patellar tendonitis)
Leg, Ankle and Foot Injuries
- Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS)
- High ankle sprains
- Low ankle sprains
- Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis)
- Frieberg's disease
- Achilles tendonitis
Spine Conditions
- Scoliosis
- Spondylolisthesis
How We Treat Pediatric Sports Injuries
Treatment for a sports injury depends on the type and severity of the injury, as well as your child's age, growth and activity goals. Our team creates a treatment plan focused on healing the injury, protecting growing bones and joints, and helping your child safely return to the activities they enjoy.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Many sports injuries in children and teens can be treated without surgery. Depending on the injury, treatment may include rest or activity changes, bracing, casting or splinting, and physical therapy. Physical therapy and rehabilitation can help young athletes improve strength, movement and function as they recover. When appropriate, our team also provides guidance to help athletes safely return to sports and other activities.
Surgery for Pediatric Sports Injuries
Some sports injuries may require surgery, especially when an injury affects the stability or function of a joint or does not improve with nonsurgical treatment. Our pediatric orthopedic surgeons have experience treating sports injuries in growing children and teens and consider growth plates and future growth when planning surgery. Surgical procedures may include:
Elbow
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction
Hip
- Acetabular Chondroplasty
- Acetabular Rim Trimming
- Hip Arthroscopy
- Hip Labral Repair
- Periacetabular Osteotomy
- Proximal Femoral Osteotomy
- Surgical Hip Dislocation
Knee
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
- Discoid Meniscus Saucerization
- Growth Plate-Sparing ACL Reconstruction
- Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction
- Meniscus Repair
- Microfracture
- OCD Drilling
- OCD Fixation
- Osteochondral Allografts
- Osteochondral Autograft Transfer
- Patellar Realignments
Meet Our Pediatric Orthopedic Sports Medicine Team
Christi Abeln, MS, APRN, BC
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
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Meghan Burgess, PA-C
Physician Assistant
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Catherine Dezort, MSN, APN, CPNP-PC
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
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Kymberly Gomez, PA-C
Physician Assistant
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Pediatric Sports Medicine FAQs
When should my child see a pediatric sports medicine specialist?
Consider seeing a pediatric sports medicine specialist if pain or an injury keeps your child from sports or everyday activities, does not improve with rest or keeps coming back. Your child should also be evaluated for significant pain or swelling, trouble moving or putting weight on an injured area, a possible fracture or ligament injury, an overuse injury, or signs of a concussion. A specialist can also help if you have questions about when your child can safely return to sports after an injury.
Why choose WashU Medicine Orthopedics for pediatric sports medicine?
Young athletes have different needs than adults, especially while their bones and joints are still growing. Our pediatric sports medicine specialists understand these differences and provide care designed for children and teens. As part of the Young Athlete Center, our team brings together orthopedic care, sports medicine and rehabilitation to support young athletes from injury through recovery and a safe return to activity.
How do you know when a child can safely return to sports?
When your child can return to sports depends on the injury and how well they have recovered. In general, young athletes should have little to no pain, be able to move normally, and have enough strength to safely do the movements their sport requires. Your child's care team may also check their strength, balance and movement before clearing them to return. Returning too soon can increase the risk of another injury.
Can my child get a same-day appointment or a sports injury?
Yes. Same-day and next-day appointments are available for many pediatric sports injuries. Our team can evaluate your child’s injury and recommend the appropriate treatment to help them safely recover and return to play. For recent injuries that need more immediate attention, children ages 5 and older can also visit our Orthopedic Injury Clinic for specialized walk-in care, with no appointment needed.
Pediatric Sports Medicine Resources