Sports Medicine

Why is Sports Medicine Different for Kids?

Nationwide Children's Sports Medicine is a team of experts who specialize in the treatment and prevention of injuries unique to the student athlete. Your young athlete requires specialized care. Here’s why:

• Children have growth plates, so proper diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical to preventing long-term side effects.
• In young athletes, ligaments tend to be stronger than bones. This can predispose kids to certain types of fractures that do not happen to older athletes.
• Kids experience periods of rapid growth. Related to this, we see conditions unique to younger athletes.
• The psychology of the young athlete is unique. We know kids — what they think, how they feel, and what they need. The athletes' state of mind is as important as their level of fitness and skill.

Our staff of doctors, athletic trainers and physical therapists are trained to provide age-appropriate care for our patients. We emphasize the importance of early injury recognition and treatment in order to prevent recurring injuries. In addition to treatment, we partner with parents and coaches to focus on injury prevention, conditioning and age-appropriate activities.

Children and teens to age 18 require expert care, especially when they’re serious athletes. These kids are still growing. And their health care needs are unique.