The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine is ranked 11th in the nation for pediatric orthopaedics according to U.S.News and World Report. Our sports medicine specialists have advanced training in pediatrics and sports medicine so that they can give age-appropriate care to active, growing children and teenagers who become injured. Their services are available at our main hospital and outpatient sites throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
Our commitment to family-centered care means that we treat not only the injury but also address the well-being of the entire family. Each patient is different, so our care addresses your family’s unique wishes and goals. We take your child’s individual needs into account, focusing on sports-specific and age-appropriate treatment, education and rehab exercises 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.
Our care is evidence-based, meaning it follows the best scientific guidelines and research. Some of these studies come from our own Institute for Sports Medicine, which is active in research to improve sports injury prevention and treatment.
Our specialists participate in multidisciplinary programs that care for children with sports-related injuries.
Our pediatric specialists treat and provide preventive training and/or advice for all types of sports injuries.
See a ListOur specialists use various tests and evalution methods to treat sports injuries.
Our entire staff is dedicated to evaluating and treating children, teens and young adults. Our doctors are leaders in the field of pediatric sports medicine. They regularly contribute their expertise to local, state and national athletic and medical organizations to set guidelines for best treatment practices and safety in sports. Our doctors also work with various Chicago public and private high schools and colleges, the Chicago Park District and community-based sports organizations.
The experienced team includes the following specialists:
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.
Meet the Team
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
