As a parent, you know children are not just small adults. They have different bone structure, muscle makeup, brain function (neurocognition), and coordination. For this reason, Mount Sinai Doctors-Westchester offers specialist care for young athletes. Our goal is to safely get your child back playing. We use non-surgical methods whenever possible, but if your child needs surgery, we have experts who can help.

Conditions We Treat

Most of the time, when young athletes are injured, it stems from overuse. The types of injuries we see most often are patellofemoral or anterior (front of the joint) knee pain, patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee), and Osgood-Schlatter disease, which can cause a painful lump below the kneecap. We also see conditions specific to certain activities. We often see runners with IT band syndrome (runner’s knee). Athletes who throw overhead often develop shoulder and elbow pain. Gymnasts and dancers are most likely to experience wrist or hip pain.     

We have plenty of experience treating acute traumatic injuries. These injuries include bumps and bruises (contusions), muscle and ligament tears (such as a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a common type of knee injury, and meniscal tears in the knees. We see instability in the kneecap (patella) and shoulder. We also see sprains and fractures in the collarbone (clavicle) and ankle.

We can also provide skilled care for sports concussions. Most concussions heal in 10 days. For the few that do not, we may begin an exercise program called vestibular rehabilitation.

Our Services

We strive to get your young athlete back to sports with the least invasive treatment possible. Often, we can treat overuse issues by modifying the child’s activity, or by rehabilitation and physical therapy. Gradually, they can return to play. If surgery becomes necessary, we can refer your child to our skilled orthopedic surgeon.

Our practice offers state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgeries for the hip, knee, elbow, and shoulder. We are skilled in treating children with ACL tears, shoulder instability, hip labral tears, and fractures. We can also engineer replacement of tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Platelet-rich plasma treatment, which uses the patient’s blood platelets to speed healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints, is an example of our advanced care.

At Mount Sinai, we have access to the latest medical research. This allows us to deliver state-of-the-art treatment to each patient. We also offer advice on how your child can return to play without jeopardizing his or her recovery.

Why Choose Mount Sinai Doctors Westchester

At Mount Sinai Doctors-Westchester, we care about you and your family. We can help by offering same-day and next-day appointments, as well as on-field and training room evaluations. Our clinically skilled physicians provide the best possible care.