The Adaptive Sports Medicine Program

Who Can be Seen at The Clinic?

The Adaptive Sports Medicine Program provides an individualized treatment experience for each and every patient. Our physicians and staff are trained to treat injuries, pain and functional problems and to provide athletic training for youth with a range of physical disabilities, including:

• Congenital or acquired amputations
• Limb deformities
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Spina bifida
• Cerebral palsy
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Combinations of intellectual and physical impairment
• Other conditions, such as muscular dystrophy

Meet Our Leadership

Now, young athletes with physical disabilities can see a physician formally trained and board-certified in both sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Jonathan Napolitano, MD, leads the Adaptive Sports Medicine Program. Dr. Napolitano has a specialized understanding of musculoskeletal health, amputee gait biomechanics and the common stress and overuse injuries facing children with physical disabilities.

He utilizes state-of-the-art technology, such as 3-D motion analysis, to dynamically assess anatomy and evaluate injuries.

Meet Our Team

Psychology

• Jessica Hoehn, PhD

Physical Therapy

• Katherine Barnes, PT, DPT, RRT
• Elizabeth Hanson, PT, DPT

Certified Hand Therapist

• Breanne Bowers, PT, DPT, CHT

Functional Therapy 

Athletic Trainers 

• Ashley Davidson, AT, ATC, MS
• Brian Huck, AT, ATC, MS
• Eric Leighton, AT, ATC
• Tina Lepley, AT, ATC

The Importance of Getting and Staying Active

Physical activity can offer benefits to every young person, but exercise may be especially valuable for youth with physical disabilities. Appropriate functional accommodations, expert care in case of injury, and access to specialized training can help physically disabled youth confidently and comfortably take part in a wide range of activities.

Participation in sports offers the chance to:

• lower body mass index
• improve self-esteem
• reduce depression
• improve social skills and relationships
• help build a long-term resource network
• improve long-term heart and lung health
• develop skills such as sportsmanship, teambuilding, leadership and resilience

Athletes of all skill levels, as well as those with no prior participation in sports, are welcome to schedule an assessment with the Adaptive Sports Medicine Program.

The Importance of Activity for Kids with Physical Disabilities

Cheering fans and screaming athletes are familiar sounds in gymnasiums and fields across the country. From little league baseball to track and field, over 70 percent of children 6 to 12 years old participated in an individual or team sport in 2016.

Research and Innovation

Our experts conduct innovative research about adaptive sports medicine for children, adolescent, and young adult athletes with physical disabilities. We collaborate with other experts from multiple specialties at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and beyond, to continue to improve adaptive sports medicine care for children everywhere.

Research interests and current studies include identifying the benefits and barriers to sports participation for athletes with disabilities, physical activity in children with limb deficiencies and motion analysis of gait and adaptive sports. 

Dr. Napolitano serves as medical director of The Ohio State University Adaptive Sports Medicine Research Program. Learn more about The Ohio State University Adapted Sports Institute here.

Other Adaptive Medicine Resources at Nationwide Children’s

Patients of the Adaptive Sports Medicine Program also have access to all of the program’s extended resources, including:

• Adaptive Sports Medicine Interest Form
• Limb Deficiency Clinic
• Play Strong
• Sports Nutrition
• Sports Performance Training
• Biomechanical Chair Analysis
• Biomechanical Video Analysis
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• The Honda Center for Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement (GAME)
• The Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction
• The Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Limb Loss: Adapting to the Challenges and Reaching Milestones

A limb difference or deficiency involves accepting the appearance, battling body image concerns and learning to use adaptive prosthetic equipment.

The Importance of Activity for Kids with Physical Disabilities

Cheering fans and screaming athletes are familiar sounds in gymnasiums and fields across the country. From little league baseball to track and field, over 70 percent of children 6 to 12 years old participated in an individual or team sport in 2016.

Shoulder Pain and Injury in the Adaptive Athlete

Based on the mechanics of adaptive sports, there is a much higher risk of upper extremity and shoulder injury in athletes with physical disabilities. The best strategy for combating these injuries is appropriate injury prevention strategies and training.

Save the Date: Adaptive Sports Medicine Day 2024

Presented by Nationwide Children’s Hospital Adaptive Sports Medicine Program along with The Ohio State University Adapted Sports Institute