Sports injuries can be stressful for young athletes and their families, especially when pain or limited movement affects school, play or competitive activities. At Shriners Children’s, we provide specialized pediatric sports medicine care for children and adolescents with injuries such as ACL tears, growth plate injuries and fractures caused by play and sports related activities.
Our pediatric orthopedic physicians are among the most highly skilled and specialized in North America, and we have one of the largest networks of hospitals, medical centers and outpatient facilities specializing in pediatric orthopedics on the continent.
Shriners Children's offers pediatric sports medicine care at more than 25 locations across North America, including hospitals and clinics in the United States and Canada.
Children's bones, joints and growth plates are still developing, which means sports injuries in kids require specialized care. A pediatric sports medicine physician understands how to evaluate, diagnose and treat injuries in growing bodies while protecting healthy development. At Shriners Children's, pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine specialists focus on caring for children and adolescents.
Our pediatric orthopedic physicians are among the most highly-skilled and specialized in North America. The types of sport and play-related injuries we treat vary by location, and the following is not a complete list.
Specific treatments and services may vary by location. Please contact a specific location for more information.
Every first appointment starts with a medical history and physical exam. The doctor will ask how the injury happened, look at the injury and test range of motion. X-rays or other images may be needed to help decide the best treatment plan. Depending on the injury, treatment may include splinting, casting, rehabilitation or surgery.
Yes. Growth plate injuries are among the important conditions treated at Shriners Children's. Because growth plates are open and are the weakest part of a child's skeleton, these injuries need specialized pediatric orthopedic care to protect healthy bone growth and reduce long-term complications.
Rehabilitation is a central part of sports medicine care at Shriners Children's. On-site physical and occupational therapists work with patients and families to create custom rehabilitation plans and individualized goals focused on rebuilding strength, restoring range of motion and helping children return safely to the sports and activities they love.
Shriners Children's provides care and services regardless of a family's ability to pay or insurance status. This means families and doctors can consider every available treatment option without financial barriers. For specific questions about billing, insurance acceptance or financial assistance, contact your nearest Shriners Children's location or visit the billing and financial assistance section.
Yes. Shriners Children's sports medicine program treats injuries from all kinds of physical activity, including recreational play, exercise, playground injuries, physical education and everyday activity, not just organized or competitive sports.
SCORES stands for the Shriners Consortium for Outcomes, Research and Education in Sports. It is a think tank developed by Shriners Children's to help improve care for injured athletes, reduce re-injury rates and advance pediatric sports medicine research by bringing together surgeons, physical therapists, engineers and research coordinators across the system.
Families can request an appointment online or call 800-237-5055. Healthcare providers can also refer patients directly through the patient referral portal. No referral is required to become a patient at most locations.
Children are not small adults – which is why they should see a pediatric sports medicine physician for sports injuries.
Whether playing sports, exercising, or having fun on the playground, sometimes children get hurt. At Shriners Children’s, we know children's bones, joints and muscles. We understand why injuries to growing bones and growth plates (the area where bones grow) need special attention.
In a growing child, growth plates are open and are the weakest part of a child's skeleton. Injuries can occur at the growth plates because of overuse, when movements are repeated over and over in that part of the body while playing.
We work hard to reduce fear and answer questions while we care for children and their families. Our goal is to get children back to what they love quickly and safely.
All appointments start with a history and physical exam. Our sports medicine doctors need to learn how an injury happened before deciding on a care plan. During the first visit, your doctor will look at the injury and test range of motion to see how well the arms or legs can move.
A child with an injury may need splinting, casting, a bone fixed, or surgery.
Radiology and rehabilitation are important for care of broken bones or injuries. X-rays or other images may be needed to help the doctor decide how to best treat the injury. On-site physical therapists and occupational therapists work with patients and families to create custom rehabilitation plans and goals.
Because Shriners Children’s provides all care and services regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status, doctors and families are able to consider every treatment option available. Learn more below about the injury related conditions we treat, who will be your partner in care and our commitment to the overall wellbeing of your child.
Staff members at Shriners Children’s know the importance of the overall health and well-being of our patients, and develop individualized care plans for each child.
If your child has a sports or play-related injury, we’ll help schedule the services and specialties you need. As part of our wrap-around care, your family may work with pediatric specialists in:
It is important to see a provider who is familiar with a child's bone structure, including growth plates, when examining an injury. Many of the fractures we see are subtle, but we are able to offer the careful eye of an orthopedic surgeon, all within the comfort of a children's hospital.
Shriners Children's provides specialty health care to children around the world. We offer a comprehensive range of treatments, services and support to improve the quality of our patients’ lives and help them reach their full potential.
