A Sports Medicine Physician for Kids Helps Keep Them Playing

Your kids who play sports are not small adults – and have unique physical and emotional needs.

Because their bodies are still growing, their musculoskeletal systems can easily sustain sports injuries. They may find it hard to talk about what’s happening in their bodies, which sometimes leads them to avoid sports or physical activities.

Plus, they may not always be patient and helpful during medical examinations.

This is why they need care from a doctor who can understand and help them. A sports medicine physician is a doctor who knows how to work with young athletes and address their unique needs.

Let’s take a look into how a sports medicine physician can help young athletes continue their sports and where you can find the best sports medicine physician in Little Rock.

Treatment for Sports Injuries

An estimated 2.6 million children visit emergency rooms for their sports and recreational injuries each year.

These injuries of kids need a different approach to treatment – mostly a gentle and compassionate nonsurgical approach.

Sports medicine physicians are specially trained to care for the injuries of growing athletes, put them at ease, and keep them playing after providing them with injury treatment.

Following are some common injuries that your kid may sustain during play and for which your kid should see a sports medicine doctor:

• Sprains
• Strains
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Injuries to ligaments
• Tendonitis and other overuse injuries
• Injuries to growth plates
• Damage to the shock-absorbing cartilage
• Concussions

Plus, a sports doctor can also help your kid with any kind of pain that can make it hard for your kid to enjoy sports or exercise.

Prevention of Injuries

As kids grow, their bones often grow first, meaning their muscles and tendons tighten over their lengthened bones. This causes their bodies to become more inflexible and increases their risk of injuries.

A sports medicine physician can identify these imbalances and other factors that may increase the risk of sports injury for a kid.

To keep your kid playing and preventing sports injuries, a sports medicine physician can provide both parents and kids with valuable advice and education on injury prevention.

Understanding their unique needs, a sports medicine doctor may also advise younger athletes to vary their physical activity. For example, a baseball pitcher who is still growing needs 2-4 months off each year from their throwing activities to reduce their risk for injuries.

Keep Sports Fun

One of the best things about seeing a sports medicine physician for your kid is that they help keep sports fun for the kids and prevent them from going beyond their limits.

They do this by ensuring your kid does not participate in an organized sport for more hours a week than their age. For example, a kid of 12 years old is allowed to spend 12 hours, or less playing organized sports like basketball, baseball, soccer, etc.

However, kids can get outside and participate in free play.

Sports Medicine Physician in Little Rock

If you are looking for a highly qualified and skilled sports medicine doctor who can help your kid with sports and other activities, visit us here at Bowen Hefley Orthopedics. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Hefley specializes in sports medicine and is committed to providing your growing athlete with the best possible care. Dr. William Hefley provides both surgical and nonsurgical treatment to patients for a full range of musculoskeletal conditions.

To schedule an appointment, call Bowen Hefley Orthopedics today at (800) 336-2412 or use this convenient request form.