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Sports Medicine

Addressing the challenges of complex pediatric illness, disorders and injuries through innovation and compassionate care of the youth athlete.

A Comprehensive Approach

There is a saying in pediatrics that “Children are not just small adults.” This statement is especially true when caring for athletic injuries that occur in the child and adolescent. In growing children, injuries and medical problems in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones and joints often are quite different from conditions more commonly seen in older patients. Our goal is to provide youth athletes with comprehensive care and services for sports-related injuries and conditions that affect athletic participation in a comfortable age appropriate atmosphere.

Common Injuries and Conditions Treated:

  • Knee ligament Injuries including Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears and
  • Anterior knee pain
  • Patellar-femoral disorders and instability including trochlear dysplasia
  • Meniscus tears
  • Shoulder conditions related to pitching and Shoulder instability
  • Repetitive stress injuries
  • Elbow injuries
  • Cartilage injuries of all joints
  • Trauma and fracture care
  • Concussion/Head Injury Management

Sports injuries occur when playing indoor or outdoor sports or while exercising. Sports injuries can result from accidents, inadequate training, improper use of protective devices, or insufficient stretching or warm-up exercises. The most common sports injuries are sprains and strains, fractures, and dislocations.

The most common treatment recommended for injury is rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE).

  • Rest: Avoid activities that may cause injury
  • Ice: Ice packs can be applied to the injured area which will help to diminish swelling and pain. Ice should be applied over a towel to the affected area for 15-20 minutes four times a day for several days. Never place ice directly over the skin
  • Compression: Compression of the injured area helps to reduce swelling. Elastic wraps, air casts, and splints can accomplish this
  • Elevation: Elevate the injured part above heart level to reduce swelling and pain.

Some of the measures that are followed to prevent sports related injuries include:

  • Follow an exercise program to strengthen the muscles
  • Gradually increase your exercise level and avoid overdoing the exercise
  • Ensure that you wear properly-fitted protective gear such as elbow guards, eye gear, facemasks, mouth guards, and pads, comfortable clothes, and athletic shoes before playing any sports activity which will help to reduce the chances of injury
  • Make sure that you follow warm up and cool down exercises before and after sports activity. Exercises will help to stretch the muscles, increase flexibility, and reduce soft tissue injuries
  • Avoid exercising immediately after eating a large meal
  • Maintain a healthy diet which will nourish the muscles
  • Avoid playing when you are injured or tired. Take a break for some time after playing
  • Learn all the rules of the game you are participating in
  • Ensure that you are physically fit to play the sport

Some of the common sports injuries include:

Foot and ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries include the injuries in the leg below the knee and they are common while playing sports such as football, hockey, skating and in athletes. Treatment for some of these conditions may be orthotics, braces, physical therapy, injections or surgery. Common sports injuries include sprains and strains, ankle fractures, and Achilles tendinitis.

Shoulder Injuries

Severe pain in shoulders while playing your favorite sports such as tennis, basketball and gymnastics may be because of torn ligament in shoulder or shoulder dislocation. These may be caused by overuse of shoulder while playing sports. Simple pain or acute injuries may be treated with conservative treatment and chronic injuries may require surgical treatment.

Knee Injuries

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is major stabilizing ligament in the knee which may tear with over use of knee for playing sports. The ACL has poor ability to heal and may cause instability. Other common sports injuries in knee are cartilage damage and meniscal tear. Knee injuries of sports may require surgical intervention that can be performed using open surgical or minimally invasive technique. Your surgeon will recommend you for physical therapy to strengthen your muscles, improve elasticity and improve the movements of the bones and joints.

Concussion

Concussion, also known as minor traumatic brain injury is the sudden and temporary loss or disturbance in nerve cell function of the brain that occurs as a result of a blow or an injury to the head. It is common among school children between the age of 8 and 13 who are involved in playing sports such as football, ice hockey, snow skiing, and bicycling.

Usually, concussions may be mild and does not result in long-term damage but repeated concussion can cause permanent brain damage. This condition can become life threatening if blood accumulates in the skull.

Some of the most common symptoms of concussion include loss of consciousness, mild to moderate headache or feeling of pressure in the head, difficulty in remembering things, slurred speech, difficulty in thinking and making decisions, lack of concentration, and feeling confused and dazed.

Your pediatrician will ask you about the incidence of head injury and symptoms observed. The doctor may also ask some basic questions to assess the child's level of consciousness. In addition, he may perform other tests such as physical examination, neurological examination, scanning procedures such as X-ray, CT and MRI.

The main treatment for concussion is complete rest from physical and mental activities. Children must be avoided from playing sports. Condition may improve gradually and check with physician before your child returns to sports activities.

Click on the topics below to find out more from the Orthopedic connection website of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Locations & Directions

  • Pediatric Orthopedic Specialists Orange County – Orange
    1310 W. Stewart Drive
    Suite 508
    Orange, CA 92868
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Specialists Orange County - Mission Viejo
    25982 Pala Drive, # 230,
    Mission Viejo, CA 92691
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Specialists Orange County - Irvine
    4980 Barranca Parkway
    Suite 220
    Irvine, CA 92604