We treat all young patients — from kids to adolescents to young adults, with our primary focus is on athletes ages 8-20. We focus on all athletes including recreational, club, high school and collegiate who participate in any type of sport.

Pediatric trained experts: Young athletes' growth and development make them susceptible to unique childhood injuries that adult doctors may miss. Our team has the pediatric training expertise to understand and treat a developing athlete's body.

Recognize sport specific needs: Our sports medicine experts have a strong understanding of sport specific needs, and the different pressures on young athletes in competitive sports. Our team focuses on the whole athlete — physical and mental health — with the best interest of both their immediate and long-term physical health.

Specialty clinic services: Children's Wisconsin is proud to offer our comprehensive concussion program, Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (REDs) Clinic, Dance Medicine Program and diagnostic ultrasound clinics as part of our sports medicine services.

Team approach: Our sports medicine team includes athletic trainers, physical therapists, sport psychologist, doctors, surgeons and advance practice providers who work both in the clinic and out in the local community. Our patient centered approach and diverse professional backgrounds allow for well-coordinated and communicated care plans for young athletes that span from the sidelines, to school athletic training rooms, physical therapy gyms and the sports medicine clinic.

Our care plans will support your child’s health and healing as they recover from an injury or work through a new or ongoing diagnosis. Your child’s care experience could include:

Coordinated care: Our team works together with school based and clinical athletic trainers, strength and conditioning specialists, physical therapists, dieticians, psychologists, school nurses, guidance counselors and more to assure a comprehensive and well-coordinated care plan that meets your child’s needs throughout their care, as they go from time of injury to full return to their sport.

Family education: Our athletic training staff and medical providers take the time to work to make sure the diagnosis and treatment plan is understood prior to leaving the visit. Our team helps to coordinate follow up visits, referral scheduling and any notes that may be needed for school or coaches.

Imaging: The Children’s Wisconsin imaging team will help your child feel comfortable and use systems to ensure your child is exposed to the smallest amount of radiation possible.

Casting or bracing: Children’s Wisconsin’s sports medicine specialists stabilize broken bones or injuries with innovative casting techniques to ensure the best outcomes for growing bodies.

Surgery: If surgery is needed, your child will be in good hands at Wisconsin’s highest-rated pediatric surgery center. Our board-certified surgeons use the most advanced techniques and technology, and our recently renovated and expanded surgical services area is designed to enhance the patient family experience.

When coming to a visit in one of our sports medicine or concussion clinics, your child:

Check-in

• After you check-in with the front desk, they may notify you if an X-rays or paperwork is needed before seeing the provider. If so, you will be directed to one of our radiology rooms where X-rays will be taken before you are shown to your clinic room.

Clinic room

• Once you finish check-in, you will be brought to the clinic room where our clinic staff will take your vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure and temperature). You may then see multiple providers to help you in your visit.

Your visit with providers

• You may be seen by a licensed athletic trainer or medical learner before you see your doctor. They will ask you questions about your injury or condition and do an examination.
• The provider will come in shortly after. They may ask some of the same questions as well as perform another examination. This may seem repetitive, but this is done to be as thorough as possible and give an opportunity for teaching and learning throughout the visit.
• After the history and physical examination is complete, your doctor will provide you details of your diagnosis and answer any questions you may have.
• If it is a concussion visit, there may be additional testing as part of your visit, such as computerized testing or neuropsychological testing. The care team will educate you on these tests during the appointment.
• They will partner with you to discuss options for your condition or injury. Sometimes that includes observation, medication, physical or occupational therapy, immobilization with a cast or splint or, in some cases, surgery.