Pediatric Sports Medicine
Overview
The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine specialists have advanced training in pediatrics and sports medicine and offer age-appropriate care to active, growing children and teenagers. Our services are available at our main hospital and outpatient locations throughout the Chicago area
We are committed to family-centered care. We take your child’s individual needs into account, focusing on sport-specific and age-appropriate treatment, education and rehabilitation to return your child to activity safely. Our team also carefully evaluates each patient’s unique set of injury risk factors and uses this information to provide individualized injury prevention advice.
The Institute for Sports Medicine’s care is evidence-based, following the best scientific guidelines and research. The institute is also nationally recognized for its own research in sports injury prevention and treatment.
Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children's is nationally-ranked for orthopedics by U.S.News & World Report.
Sports Injury Prevention & Treatment Programs
Sports Medicine Conditions We Treat
Our specialists treat and provide preventive training and/or advice for all types of sports injuries.
- Accessory Navicular
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
- Apophysitis of the Pelvis/Hip
- Athlete Burnout
- Bowed Legs (Genu Varum)
- Bunion Deformity (Juvenile Hallux Valgus)
- Clavicle Fracture/Broken Collar Bone
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Concussion
- Developmental Coordination Disorder
- Excessive Thoracic Kyphosis
- Exercise-Induced Asthma
- Female Athlete Triad
- Femoral Anteversion
- Foot & Ankle Pain
- Freiberg Infraction
- Growing Pains
- Gymnast’s Wrist (Distal Radial Epiphysitis)
- Heat Illness
- Heat Illness
- High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmosis Sprain)
- Idiopathic Toe-walking
- Iliotibial (IT) Band Friction Syndrome
- Internal Snapping Hip Syndrome
- Iselin Disease (Apophysitis of the Fifth Metatarsal)
- Joint Hypermobility Syndrome
- Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Little League Elbow (Medial Epicondylar Apophysitis)
- Little League Shoulder (Proximal Humeral Epiphysitis)
- Mallet Finger
- Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries
- Medial Epicondyle Avulsion Fracture
- Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)
- Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)
- Meniscus Injuries
- Metatarsal Stress Fractures
- Muscle Contusion
- Navicular Stress Fracture
- Os Trigonum Syndrome
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
- Panner Disease
- Patella Tendonitis
- Patellar Dislocation (Kneecap Dislocation)
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Popliteal (Baker's) Cyst
- Repetitive Shoulder Strain Injuries
- Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
- Salter-Harris I Fracture of the Distal Fibula
- Scoliosis
- Sever Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
- Shoulder Instability
- Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome
- Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome
- Skier's or Gamekeeper's Thumb
- Spinal Disc Herniation
- Spondylolysis & Spondylolisthesis
- Stinger or Burner Injury
- Tarsal Coalition
- Tennis Elbow
- Thigh Contusion
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Tibial Torsion (Twisting of the Shinbone)
- Transient Synovitis Hip
- Turf Toe
Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialists
Dedicated to evaluating and treating children, teens and young adults, our physicians are leaders in the field of pediatric sports medicine. They regularly share their expertise with and have leadership positions on many local, state, and national athletic and medical organizations and councils, to set guidelines for best treatment practices and safety in sports. They work with Chicago high schools and colleges, the Chicago Park District and community-based sports organizations. Whether a casual athlete or elite, grade school or collegiate, the Lurie Children’s Institute for Sports Medicine provides exceptional, patient-focused care.
Our experienced team includes the following specialists:
- Pediatric sports medicine physicians
- Pediatric orthopedic sports surgeons
- Pediatric advanced practice providers (APRNs, PA-Cs)
- Certified athletic trainers
- Pediatric physical and occupational therapists
If your child needs medical equipment, such as a brace, splint or custom shoe insert, we have experts who can fit and supply these devices in the Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics. We also work closely with Lurie Children’s psychologists and neuropsychologists to treat children with head injuries.
An expert in pediatric sports medicine, Cynthia LaBella, MD, is the institute’s medical director. She is board certified in pediatrics and sports medicine and has more than 10 years of experience in sports medicine.
Cynthia R. LaBella, MD
Medical Director, Institute for Sports Medicine
Rebecca L. Carl, MD, MSCI
Attending Physician, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Craig J. Finlayson, MD
Attending Physician, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine; Surgical Director and Co-Medical Director, Lurie Children’s Surgery Center in Northbrook
Brian T. Hang, MD
Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Neeraj Patel, MD, MPH, MBS
Attending Physician, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Sigrid F. Wolf, MD
Attending Physician, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Jacqueline Turner, MSN, APRN-NP, FNP-BC
Advanced Practice Nurse, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Make an Appointment
We offer easy online scheduling for your child's orthopedic needs.
Our Locations
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park
2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming Place
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook
1131 Techny Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
25 N. Winfield Road
East Entrance
Winfield, Illinois 60190
630.933.6631
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in New Lenox
1870 N. Silver Cross Blvd. (formerly Clinton Street)
Suite 100
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
312.227.3620
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Arlington Heights
Busse Center for Specialty Medicine
880 W. Central Rd, Ste 6400
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005
312.227.5410
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Westchester
Surgical Treatment Center
2301 Enterprise Drive
Westchester, Illinois 60154
312.227.7900
Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Skokie
3722 W. Touhy Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
312.227.5600
Research
Specialists in the Institute for Sports Medicine are actively engaged in research studies to better understand sports injuries and conditions.
Fellowship & Training
Keeping with our belief that quality education is inseparable from our quality patient care, we partner with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to train tomorrow’s leading pediatric physicians. As the pediatric teaching hospital for the Feinberg School, we offer several opportunities for students to further their education in sports medicine.
Sports Medicine Fellowship
In conjunction with the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, we offer a one-year ACGME-accredited fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine. In addition to providing excellent clinical training in sports medicine, our program offers a curriculum that includes research, advocacy and community outreach activities. Our sports medicine fellow assists with providing medical coverage at a variety of sporting events at the high school and college level, as well as mass-participation events.
Learn more about the fellowship
Athletic Training Student Clinical Program
The Athletic Training Student Clinical Program is based on pediatric sports medicine and designed to expose the athletic training student to the physician extender role. The clinical rotation allows athletic training students to expand their knowledge of pediatric sports medicine and orthopedics, improve their clinical evaluation skills and increase their knowledge of affiliated healthcare professionals while working with special populations.
Seminars
To schedule a seminar for parents, coaches and/or athletes, call the Institute for Sports Medicine regarding the Sports Medicine Fellowship at 312.227.6527.
Sports Medicine News & Stories
Concussion in Teens
Every year, millions of teenagers in the US sustain concussions. Learn the signs, symptoms, and treatments for concussions in teens.
Sports Physicals: Frequently Asked Questions
Learn all about sports phyiscals, including who needs them about them, who needs them and how they keep our kids safe.
Effective Clubfoot Treatment with Rebecca Carl, MD and Romie Gibly, MD, PhD
Dr. Rebecca Carl and Dr. Romie Gibly explain the timeline of treatment, handling of complications and the long-term outcomes of patients who undergo clubfoot care at Lurie Children’s.
Common Questions about Pediatric Sports Injuries
Lurie Children’s sports medicine team members answer some common questions about sports injuries in kids, including how to prevent injuries, when to see a doctor, how to help your child recover and more.
What Parents Should Know About Strength Training for Teens & Kids
Strength training is a type of exercise designed to increase muscle strength, power, and endurance.
Study Aims to Lower Risk of ACL Reinjury in Children
Philanthropy
Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.