Kids and sports may be a natural combination, but kids and injuries from sports are always a concern for parents. Unfortunately, children are not always forthcoming about injuries, or they may not be able to explain the pain or discomfort they are feeling, which can make diagnosing problems and choosing the best treatment a challenge.
To address these issues, the field of pediatric sports medicine has come to the forefront in working with musculoskeletal injuries and other types of related sports or fitness injuries. Even issues with sports psychology, such as body image, eating disorders and abuse of supplements or nutrition is a part of this important area of pediatric medical care.
Types of Conditions
The term pediatric sports medicine is a bit misleading, and doctors with this specialized training work with both athletes and non-athletes with these types of injuries and illnesses.
Typically a pediatric specialist works with children of all ages from newborns to those in their teens. Usually patients over the age of 21 will be seen by a doctor specializing in adult sports medicine.
The most common types of injuries include sprains, strains and fractures, as well as dislocations and even ligament, tendon and cartilage damage. Chronic or acute types of pain from issues such as tendonitis, overuse injuries as well as joint and back pain are also areas of focus for these medical professionals.
The sports medicine specialist will also work with parents, athletes and coaches to deal with chronic health issues such as asthma and diabetes, or to develop preventative options for heat related conditions, particularly with outdoor sports like football, and even how to reduce the risk of concussion in sports.
A sports medicine specialist typically does not perform surgeries to treat musculoskeletal issues. In these cases, a referral to an orthopedic surgeon is made and the pediatric sports medicine doctor consults and teams with the orthopedic surgeon to provide ongoing care before and after the procedure.
The Benefits of Referral
With a sports medicine professional working with a child and family there is a wider range of treatment options. This can allow a child to not only recover from an injury but also to be evaluated before starting a sport or a specific exercise regime.
Just as with any specialization, the goal of the pediatrician with as sports medicine specialization is not just to deal with an existing injury, but to help to teach the child and the parents effective preventative care to limit the risk of future injuries.
