Children’s Sports Medicine Clinic Provides Care to Young Athletes

Like any exercise, playing a sport can help children control weight, improve self-esteem and do better in school. There are dangers for child athletes, however. More than 3.5 million Americans age 14 and younger are treated for sports injuries every year.

“Sports injuries in adolescents and teenagers are difficult,” says Kody Moffatt, MD, pediatrician and sports medicine specialist at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha. “The body, bones and joints aren’t fully developed. We want to make sure these injuries are diagnosed and treated before they create a chronic, long-term problem that could impact the child’s ability to compete successfully down the road.”

A significant focus of the Children’s Sports Medicine Clinic is diagnosing and managing post-concussion recovery, particularly with regard to helping injured athletes transition back into the classroom, a process often referred to as “return to learn.” Appropriate management of the “return to learn” process is a critical part of concussion recovery. At the Sports Medicine Clinic at Children’s, a customized “return to learn” plan is created for each patient.

Most sports-related injuries do not require surgery. However, Layne Jensen, MD, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in surgical repairs for young athletes who are still growing, can provide on-site consultation. Dr. Jensen specializes in pediatric surgical techniques such as ACL reconstruction for children who cannot undergo traditional procedures due to skeletal immaturity. In addition, Children’s pediatric cardiologist Chris Erickson, M.D., contributes to the multi-disciplinary focus with comprehensive heart evaluations, when needed.