Hospital for Special Surgery to Host Sports Medicine for the Young Athlete 9th Annual Symposium

Co-chairing the symposium will be:

Robert G. Marx, M.D., Orthopedic Director, Hospital for Special Surgery’s Sports Medicine Institute for Young Athletes

Jordan D. Metzl, M.D., Medical Director, Hospital for Special Surgery’s Sports Medicine Institute for Young Athletes

Over a span of 13 years, nearly 1.6 million pediatric soccer related injuries presented to emergency rooms across the nation, according to a recent study.

Researchers also found a significant increase in the number of injuries sustained by girls between the ages of 2 and 18.

Sports medicine is a growing field but medical care of the athletic child requires special consideration. On Saturday, March 3, leading experts in the fields of sport medicine, rehabilitation and training will assemble to discuss advances in the coordinated care of the active and athletic child. This symposium is the longest running and best attended pediatric sports medicine course in the country.

Presenters will focus on various sports medicine issues that young athletes face and the most appropriate treatment options available. Speakers will discuss medical diagnosis techniques, recognizing when surgical or nonsurgical management is appropriate, rehabilitation options and sports drinks.

“Adolescent athletes present a particular challenge because they are still growing,” said Dr. Metzl. “We will present a variety of ways to address the needs of the athletic child, which include selecting appropriate equipment and proper stretching techniques that can reduce injuries.”

“More kids than ever are participating in team sports, and as a result, we are seeing an increase in the number of sports related injuries in our pediatric patients,” said Dr. Marx.  “The frequency of injuries and the need for the medical community to stay ahead of the curve in treating young athletes continues to make this symposium a popular and important event for physicians as well as athletic trainers and coaches throughout our region.”

Another key topic that will be discussed is the most common form of knee pain, referred to as patellofemoral pain, how to identify it, and what to do, explained Brian C. Halpern, M.D.,  Sports Medicine Specialist and Assistant Attending Physician at Hospital for Special Surgery.