Sports medicine + orthopedics

Our sports medicine and orthopedic specialists can keep your young athlete at peak performance — on and off the field

As your child plays in their league this season, you’ll want to be sure that they’re prepared to play at optimum physical levels. And, unfortunately, once your child’s in the game, there’s always the possibility of an injury.

Luckily, Kaiser Permanente has sports medicine and orthopedics departments staffed with care teams who can help make sure your child stays at their healthiest. You can read more about our sports medicine and orthopedics departments services below.

Watch our doctors answer questions about sports injuries (46 minutes)

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Orthopedics tailored to your child’s needs

If your child suffers a serious injury like a fracture or concussion while playing sports, you want the confidence of knowing that they’ll get personalized treatment from a care team who knows them.

At Kaiser Permanente, our orthopedic surgeons are board-certified and equipped to treat the entire spectrum of fractures and musculoskeletal disorders that can affect young patients. They work with other highly skilled specialists who use various treatment methods — including casting, bracing, and therapy — to address orthopedic injuries in children and young adults. Along with nurses and physician assistants, the entire team is connected to your child’s electronic health record. That means they’re up to date on your child’s care and can coordinate treatment for better outcomes.

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Preventing sports injuries this spring season

As a parent, you know that once your child gets into the sport season, there’s always the risk of injury or illness. You can’t protect your child from every injury — strains, sprains, fractures, and tendon tears are common in the realm of athletics.

From getting safety gear to keeping them hydrated, Kaiser Permanente wants to make sure that you know all the ways to help your child stay in the game. We offer a wealth of guidance to help you keep your young athlete safe and healthy, whether it’s getting them started this season or helping them finish strong.

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Sports physicals: What to expect for your child

Before your child signs up to play team sports, it’s important to learn about and address any health problems that could lower their sports performance or increase their chances of getting hurt. For instance, if your child has asthma, their physician might recommend a treatment plan that helps them breathe better when they run.

A sports physical is a great way to ensure that your MVP stays healthy this season. It helps determine that it’s safe for your child to participate in a particular sport. The assessments are recommended at least once every 1 to 2 years, or as required by your child’s school district, league, or camp. It’s important to schedule their sports physical before the beginning of the sports season, so that any necessary treatment plans are in place.