Compared to even just 10 years ago, youth sports opportunities have greatly expanded. Of course, with these opportunities come increased competition, demands, and stress. After all, it’s a completely different playing field. Parents and athletes face new challenges these days. That’s why St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children developed a special approach to address the multitude of health and wellness issues for young athletes.

St. Christopher’s Sports Care is a comprehensive program designed to provide a broader scope of care, beyond orthopedic injury and sports medicine. While many of the problems associated with sports injuries often are orthopedic-related, there are many injuries and illnesses that may be misdiagnosed or overlooked. Our multidisciplinary approach is designed to address both the medical and psychological issues that young athletes face today.

Looking at the Big Picture

It’s important to look at the big picture in sports care. Your child or teenager may be dealing with non-orthopedic injuries as well as. For example, some athletes may battle asthma for years without knowing they have it; and push themselves physically to the point of danger. And rigorous training may manifest conditions that become intolerable at high levels of exertion. We developed St. Christopher’s Sports Care program to provide:

• Multidisciplinary team care
• Athletic training
• Wellness programs

Beyond Sports Medicine

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sports Care

Since some athletes experience overlapping medical conditions, it’s important to know that at St. Christopher’s Sports Care the athlete and family may benefit from the expertise of multiple medical specialists, including:

• Pediatrics — Our Sports Care general pediatrician helps direct patients to the appropriate physicians for diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
• Orthopedics — In addition to their expertise in musculo-skeletal injuries, our pediatric sub-specialists understand the delicate growth issues children face with serious orthopedic problems, such as leg-length differences and spinal deformities. While our ultimate goal is to get the athlete back on the field, it’s more important that he/she doesn’t face long-term or recurring problems through adulthood.

Our sports medicine specialists understand the different needs of the athlete. Athletics challenges the body much differently than everyday activities. Sending the athlete back to competition in a short, time period takes experience and knowledge.

• Allergy/Asthma — Our Sports Care allergist treats asthma as well as allergies. Many asthma- and allergy-related problems may not be addressed for years, limiting athletes from their full potential and even making the problem worse. Up to 15 percent of the population has exercised-induced asthma and more than 20% of the 1996 US Summer Olympians had asthma. And approximately 55% percent of children with asthma also have allergies. These allergies can have a significant impact on an athlete’s ability to perform. After all, it’s difficult for an athlete with grass allergies to hit a ball or run down the soccer field with watery eyes or a runny nose.
  
  
• Neurology — Concussion diagnosis and management can be challenging. Determining when an athlete is able to return to play can require significant medical expertise and experience for proper evaluation. Our Sports Care team may provide a referral to our neurologist for a specialized exam.
  
  
• Cardiology — While heart problems are commonly associated with older adults, heart conditions in children may go undetected. Young athletes, however, may be able to participate in sports and physical activity with the proper intervention. Our cardiologists perform comprehensive examinations and tests to determine the cardiovascular fitness of your athlete.
  
  
• Female Athlete Issues — Irregular or absent menses (periods) is more than just an innocent side effect of being a dedicated female athlete. It is important to address the issue and manage this condition for optimal performance and prevention of bone loss. Our adolescent medicine specialists are available to assist in the unique needs of female athletes.
  
  

Advanced Technology for Specialized Care

In addition to a skilled and experienced team of professionals, St. Christopher’s Sports Care wouldn’t be complete without some of the latest technology to help provide a comprehensive diagnosis. Among our outpatient tests, we offer:

• Treadmill and cycle ergometers to evaluate cardiac problems Pulmonary tests
• Motion analysis lab — A six-camera system that evaluates how a patient walks or moves by measuring foot pressures and muscle function to detect small orthopedic problems that may go undetected through conventional tests.
• Advanced diagnostic tests such as CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound

Rehabilitation

St. Christopher’s has been successful in helping many patients recover from injury through a rehabilitation program that may speed recovery and shorten the time before an athlete can return to play. Our individualized programs may help patients avoid overuse injuries — and ultimately avoid surgery. Children’s healing abilities often are stronger than adults, which is why rehabilitation can be a highly successful option for treatment.

While rehabilitation has been highly successful in the young athlete, if surgery is necessary St. Christopher’s Sports Care strives to take the least invasive approach. Our experienced surgical team offers some of the latest in minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopy.

Youth Sport Wellness Program

As part of our commitment to the community, St. Christopher’s provides education and training for parents, coaches, and athletes. Local schools interested in the Youth Sports Wellness Program may call for more information at 215-427-5900.

Affiliations:

St. Christopher’s Sports Care is the pediatrics partner of Hahnemann Sports Medicine Center. All physicians are full-time faculty members of Drexel University College of Medicine.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at St. Christopher’s Sports Care, call: 215-427-5900.