pediatric sports medicine
pediatric sports medicine
Kids play hard, and when injuries happen, they need care designed specifically for growing bodies. At Dayton Children’s Hospital, our pediatric sports medicine team helps active kids recover safely, regain strength and return to the activities they love. Whether it is a sprained ankle, a concussion or long-term overuse pain, our care is focused on the unique needs of young athletes.
what is pediatric sports medicine?
Sports medicine is a medical specialty focused on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries related to physical activity. Pediatric sports medicine goes a step further by recognizing that children’s and teens’ bodies are still growing, which means they respond differently to injuries and treatment.
A pediatric sports medicine physician has specialized training to manage these differences, from growth plate injuries to concussion care. At Dayton Children’s, our team includes sports medicine providers, athletic trainers and pediatric physical therapists who collaborate to provide full-spectrum care.
Whether it is a sprained ankle, a concussion or long-term overuse pain, our care is focused on the unique needs of young athletes.
why choose pediatric sports medicine at dayton children’s?
Sports injuries can affect a child’s growth, performance and confidence. That’s why our pediatric sports medicine care is tailored for developing bodies and young minds.
What makes our program different:
- Pediatric expertise: We treat kids and teens exclusively, with a deep understanding of growth and development.
- Mental health focus: The psychology of a young athlete is different. We get to know each athlete, how they think and feel and what motivates them
- Non-surgical care focus: Most injuries are treated without surgery, using personalized recovery plans.
- In-house rehab: Physical therapy and injury rehabilitation happen under the same roof for convenience and consistency.
- Nationally recognized: Sports medicine is part of the U.S. News & World Report-ranked orthopedics team and collaborates with their expertise, if needed.
- Advanced diagnostics: Our imaging tools are calibrated for pediatric anatomy to improve accuracy and comfort.
when to see a pediatric sports medicine provider
Some sports injuries resolve with rest, but others need medical attention to prevent long-term issues. Consider seeing a pediatric sports medicine provider if your child:
- Has pain that lingers for more than a few days
- Experiences swelling, bruising or a limited range of motion
- Complaints of joint instability or weakness
- Is limping or avoiding usual activities
- Shows potential signs of a concussion, such as dizziness, nausea or confusion
pediatric sports medicine that keeps kids going
Whether your child has a new sports injury or is managing a recurring issue, our pediatric sports medicine team is here to help. With multiple locations, same-day appointments and care tailored to young athletes, we make it easier to get kids safely back in the game. Schedule an appointment online or call 937-641-4000.
our pediatric sports medicine specialists
Our pediatric sports medicine providers include board-certified sports medicine physicians, athletic trainers and physical therapists, all trained to care for children and teens. We’re professionals in diagnosing growth-related injuries, managing safe return-to-play and supporting long-term performance.
common pediatric sports injuries we treat
The sports medicine experts at Dayton Children’s offer a specialized, pediatric approach to handling your child or teen’s sports injuries. We know how important it is to treat the growing body properly. Below are some of the conditions that we treat.
- Achilles tendinitis
- Back pain
- Bursitis
- Contusions
- Dislocations
- Disordered eating
- Exercise induced asthma
- Golfer’s or baseball elbow (Medial epicondylitis)
- Growth plate injuries
- Heat illness
- Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)
- Impetigo
- Jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis)
- Knee pain, dislocation and injuries
- Osgood-Schlatters disease
- Plantar fasciitis
- REDS / female athlete triad
- Ringworm
- Runner’s knee (patellafemoral pain)
- Server’s disease
- Shin splints
- Sinding-Larsen-Johansson (SLJ) syndrome
- Skin infections
- Sports concussions
- Sports injuries
- Sports nutrition
- Sprains and strains
- Stress fractures
- Sublaxtion
- Tendinitis
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
pediatric sports medicine programs and clinics
Dayton Children’s sports medicine offers a variety of services and programs to meet the needs of patients, families, coaches and athletic associations—from injury prevention education to concussion management. In partnership with other top specialists at Dayton Children’s, we are always developing new programs for sports-related conditions.
Our program is designed to be a resource for an athlete’s health care needs with same-day or next-day appointments.
Dayton Children’s offers:
- Dedicated sports medicine staff
- Timely on-site imaging (MRI, Bone Scan, CT scan)
- On-site bracing
- Prompt referrals to orthopedic surgeons, when needed
- Collaboration with schools and sports teams
Dayton Children’s knows that when it comes to young, female athletes, there’s a lot to consider. Training, performance, nutrition, mental health. And with the Center for the Female Athlete, we will provide a place for our young female athletes to be heard. To learn how to understand their bodies’ unique needs and focus on the power they have to position themselves for total wellness.
With an exceptional female-led team of physicians, dietitians, behavioral health specialists and athletic trainers, female athletes can find the program they’ve been looking for that helps them not only be the best version of their athletic self, but more importantly, the best version of their whole self.
The sports physical is best when performed annually by a professional with the most knowledge of your medical history. Key points in your personal or family history will be noted in your primary doctor’s chart, even if you forgot about it while filling out a form for your sports physical. Because of this, we recommend you have your physical done with a physician who knows your history well.
However, there are times when your physician is unavailable, or you have a more complicated history that requires a closer exam by a specialist. Under these circumstances, Dayton Children’s is here to perform your sports physical.
Download the pre-participation physical evaluation form and bring it with you to your visit. All sports physicals are a cash fee. We do not charge insurance for your sports physical visit. For more information, call our office at 937-641-3939.
Dayton Children’s sports physical therapists assist athletes in improving their performance in a variety of ways.
Here are just a few of our services:
- Evaluation and treatment of injuries utilizing:
- Electrical stimulation to assist with muscle re-education
- Ultrasound for pain management
- Iontophoresis (electrical stimulation that is used to administer medication into the body through the skin) for anti-inflammatory treatment
- Brace, crutch and orthotic fitting
- Designing return-to-play programs
- Taping techniques
Learn about orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapy.
Our experts know that even what seems to be a minor head injury can cause serious changes in the brain. It can be difficult to determine the severity of a concussion, especially in the first several hours after injury. It is essential to know the facts associated with a concussion and the best possible care after an injury. Our team uses the latest technology in concussion testing to help athletes get back in the game. Learn about our concussion management program.
Our pediatric orthopedic specialists work closely with other experts at Dayton Children’s to ensure that each child’s unique needs are met. These can include experts in sports medicine. Our team has the expertise to treat the growing body, which is vitally important when repairing an athlete’s torn ACL, MCL, meniscus, labral tear or any other sports injury. Our surgery team performs thousands of surgeries with the assistance of pediatric-trained anesthesiologists. When it comes to surgery for your athlete, we know what matters most to families is getting their athlete back to the field or court as quickly and as safely as possible.
Dayton Children’s is proud to provide the community with certified athletic trainers specialized in injury prevention, recognition and treatment of sports-related injuries. Athletic trainer services include:
- Event Coverage
- Speaking engagements
- Coaches training
The type of food young athletes eat can affect how well and how long they can compete. A proper nutrition plan can make sure they have enough energy to keep playing into overtime. Our team has a dedicated dietitian specialized in sports nutrition to keep your athlete at the top of their game. Learn about sports nutrition.
athletic training services
Dayton Children’s is proud to provide the community with certified athletic trainers specialized in prevention, recognition, and treatment of sports related injuries. All athletic trainers are licensed by the state of Ohio and engage in regular continuing education in sports medicine. Athletic trainer services include:
- Event Coverage
- Speaking engagements
- Coaches training
If you’re interested in these services, please call 937-641-3939.
Dayton Children’s and Healthy Roster
At Dayton Children’s, we are dedicated to giving parents, coaches and players access to sports medicine experts during every practice and game. That’s why we have partnered with Healthy Roster to provide on-demand athletic training services.
Healthy Roster is a FREE concussion and injury communication platform created specifically for high schools, middle schools, club and select sports organizations, and youth leagues. The Healthy Roster app allows coaches and parents to video chat with a certified athletic trainer wherever they are, on the field or at home, from the convenience of their smart phone, tablet or PC.
With the Healthy Roster app:
- Certified athletic trainers can quickly triage injuries and provide suggestions on how to handle an injury
- Parents and coaches receive instant injury updates
- Access resource tools to discover how to treat an injury from home
If you’re curious about HIPAA/Privacy, you’re not alone! At Dayton Children’s, we take privacy seriously. Our technology is HIPAA compliant and we take great care of your privacy. Please access the full policies here:
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Children’s Privacy Policy
If you’re interested in learning more about Healthy Roster and how it might help your organizations coaches and parents, please call 937-641-3939.
pediatric sports medicine news and blogs
Stay connected with seasonal tips, injury prevention strategies and pediatric sports medicine advice.
pediatric sports medicine patient stories
Our patients inspire us every day. From soccer players returning after ACL recovery to gymnasts regaining confidence post-concussion, our stories show how specialized care and a team approach help kids return to doing what they love.
Explore how Dayton Children’s sports medicine services have made a difference for families like yours.
for your visit
For all visits to the sports medicine clinic, please wear comfortable and loose clothing and bring:
- Your insurance information
- Any brace or orthotics you are using
- Any appropriate images (X-rays, MRIs) related to your injury
- Any paperwork from health care providers who have treated you for this injury (athletic trainers, doctors)
- Any required forms from your school or team
- Names and contact information for anyone else you would like us to include in the care plan. These may include coaches, athletic trainers, doctors or school officials.
sports medicine clinic (non-concussion)
For your visit, expect:
- An evaluation from a staff athletic trainer
- A review of injury history
- A general health and wellness survey
- Potential medical imaging
- A detailed orthopedic evaluation from a sports medicine doctor (may include functional movement, range of motion tests and special tests) and instructions for home care until follow-up or return to play
- Brace-fitting and instructions for use, when prescribed by a sports medicine doctor
- A scheduled follow-up, if requested by the sports medicine doctor
- Potential referral to physical therapy, if suggested by a sports medicine doctor
concussion visit to the sports medicine clinic
For your first time visit, expect:
- An evaluation from a staff athletic trainer
- A review of concussion history
- A graded symptoms checklist, preparing you to monitor your progress at home and at school
- A detailed examination from the sports medicine doctor with instructions for home care until your follow-up
- Potential concussion testing if symptoms are improving from the time of injury
For your follow-up(s) concussion visits expect:
- Review of symptoms with a staff athletic trainer
- A detailed review and examination with the sports medicine doctor
- Potential concussion testing if symptoms are improving from the time of injury or first visit
- Return to school/play protocol if symptoms are improving and test results show progress
athletic trainer visit to the sports medicine clinic
Athletes can schedule athletic trainer visits for brace-fitting, crutch training and preventative education. Athletic trainer visits do not include a visit from the sports medicine doctor.
Please wear comfortable and loose clothing, and bring:
- Any brace or orthotics you are using
- The tape you have used for an injury or plan to use
For your visit, expect:
Instructions on brace cleaning and proper removal of tape
A verbal evaluation from a staff athletic trainer
An instructional demonstration on the application and usage of braces, crutches or preventative taping
pediatric sports medicine resources
We provide trusted, easy-to-follow tools for every stage of your child’s care. These resources can help young athletes, parents, coaches and other providers.
our partnerships
Dayton Children’s is proud to partner with local businesses, organizations, youth leagues and teams to support the community and meet the needs of youth athletes.
sports centers
universities
tournaments and events
- Advanced Running Project races
- CUSA Cup
- Haunted Soccer Classic
- President’s Day Cup – Volleyball tournament
leagues and organizations
pediatric sports medicine hours and locations
Sports medicine care is available at multiple Dayton Children’s locations for your convenience.
FAQs – pediatric sports medicine
Typically, no. If surgery is needed, they refer to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and stay involved in the recovery process.
Physical therapy is one part of sports medicine. Our team includes physical therapists, but sports medicine providers oversee diagnosis, treatment planning and long-term care.
It depends on your insurance. Check with your provider or call our scheduling team. We’ll help you figure it out!
Athletic trainers work hands-on during practices and games. Sports medicine providers offer clinical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plans in a medical setting.
Absolutely. We offer movement assessments, conditioning guidance and training tips to help reduce the risk of injury before it happens.
here when you need us
Whether you’re looking for the right provider, ready to make an appointment, or need care right now—we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.
