A pediatric sports medicine specialist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sports-related injuries and illnesses in children. They diagnose and treat children from birth to early adulthood and may work closely with other pediatric specialists such as pediatric orthopedic surgeons, pediatric neurologists, pediatric ophthalmologists in order to diagnose and treat injured children as quickly as possible. They provide comprehensive care for young athletes, from the time of injury through the recovery process and back to sports participation. In addition, they also help children recover after sports-related injuries and surgeries, and provide care to children with rare conditions that affect the muscles, bones, and joints. They are experts in the field and are highly trained to diagnose and treat children’s conditions.

Pediatric sports medicine specialists diagnose, treat, prevent and manage injuries and illnesses of the musculoskeletal system in children and teenagers, including:

– Sprains and strains
– Dislocations
– Ligament injuries
– Minor fractures and avulsions
– Apophysitis (formerly known as Sever’s Disease)
– Tendinitis
– Cartilage injuries
– Exercise-induced asthma
– Concussions
– Nutrition and supplement issues
– Diabetes
– Eating disorders
– Heat illness
– Unique conditions of athletes with special needs
– Overuse injuries

It is important to have a pediatric sports medicine specialist for a number of reasons, including:

– Pediatric sports medicine specialists have the expertise, experience, and qualifications to treat children or teenagers with an injury or illness that affects sports performance, exercise, or physical capability.

– Injuries and medical problems affecting the musculoskeletal system, such as the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints, in growing children are often quite different from conditions more commonly seen in older patients. Advanced training and further specialization in pediatric sports medicine allow these physicians to appropriately treat the unique sports-related medical needs of children and teenagers.

Pediatrics is the field of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, preventing, and managing injuries, illnesses, and conditions that commonly affect children and adolescents. Orthopedics is the field of medicine that focuses on correcting abnormalities and irregularities of the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, joints, or muscles. Pediatric sports medicine is essentially a combination of pediatrics and orthopedics, as this field of medicine focuses on treating children with injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and joints. However, pediatric sports medicine not only corrects abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system but also emphasizes the importance of preventative care and the ongoing support for children from the point of injury to post-treatment care. Pediatric sports medicine specialists are the most qualified medical professionals to treat sports injuries in children.

If your children have sustained an injury playing sports, come to Olivero Pediatrics. Our team of pediatricians can help your little ones recover from their injuries faster, so they can feel better, sooner. Call us today or book an appointment online with our pediatric sports medicine specialist, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 1243 Skytop Mountain Road, Suite 4, Port Matilda, PA 16870. We serve patients from Port Matilda PA, Waddle, PA, Julian PA, State College PA, Bellefonte PA, Pennsylvania Furnace PA, and Pine Grove Mills PA. We look forward to serving you!