Sports injuries are becoming more common in children and teens as the length of sports seasons increases and the level of play intensifies. But the growing athlete’s needs are different from the adult athlete’s. Our team of experts works together to get young athletes back in the game.
Our program takes into account the special needs of children and teens’ growing bodies and developing minds. We offer both surgical and non-surgical options, with services that include injury prevention, physical therapy, rehabilitation, imaging, complementary medical treatment and appropriate nutrition.
Our team of nationally recognized experts includes physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, nutritionists, exercise physiologists and adolescent medicine specialists. They work together to make sure each child's care is coordinated and thorough. Their expertise covers a wide range of orthopedic subspecialties, including trauma care, ultra-endurance sports, foot and ankle injuries and spine problems. We develop physical therapy programs for children recovering from injuries. When surgery is needed, we use techniques that limit the risk of injury to growing bones.
Common sports injuries include tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL).
Our program offers same-day access at one of our three locations in Seattle, Bellevue and Federal Way and does not require a referral from a primary care physician. We also offer evening appointments in Seattle and Bellevue.
Sports Medicine Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps people recover from injuries and prevent further injury. The physical therapists at Seattle Children’s have the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment needed to work with young athletes and help them safely return to sports. We are now offering sports medicine physical therapy in Seattle, Bellevue and Federal Way. A referral from your healthcare provider is all that is needed to make an appointment. For more information, or to make an appointment, call the Physical Therapy Department at 206-987-2113.
ACL Tears
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) connects the front part of the shinbone to the back part of the thighbone so that the shinbone does not slide in front of the thighbone. When the knee is forced into an unusual position, the ACL and other ligaments can tear. ACL tears occur when children stop or change direction suddenly, twist their knees or bend them sideways. This can happen during accidents while skiing, bicycling or riding in a car. It also can happen during sports that require a lot of jumping, pivoting and quick stops and starts, such as basketball, volleyball and soccer.
Read more about ACL injuries.
MCL Tears
The MCL (medial collateral ligament) runs along the inside of the knee, helping to keep the knee from bending inward. When the knee suddenly bends inward with the foot bent outward, the MCL and other ligaments can tear, partially or all the way. These kinds of injuries can occur during collisions in football and soccer and during car accidents.
Read more about MCL injuries.
PCL Tears
The PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) connects the back part of the shinbone to the front part of the thighbone so that the shinbone does not slide behind the thighbone.
When the knee is forced into an unusual position, the PCL and other ligaments can tear. In children, PCL injuries most often happen during high-speed sports, such as basketball and soccer. A blow to the front of the knee — for example, from hitting the dashboard during an automobile accident or falling hard on a bent knee during a football game — can also injure the PCL.
Read more about PCL injuries.