Sports are an important part of growing up. They build confidence, friendships, discipline, and a love of staying active. But injuries can be especially frustrating for young athletes who don’t want to miss practice, fall behind their teammates, or sit out an important season.
At Altius Physical Therapy, we understand that treating a young athlete isn’t always the same as treating an adult. Growing bodies have different needs, and rehabilitation should account for an athlete’s physical development, the demands of their sport, and their goals for returning to activity.
We work closely with young athletes and their families to create realistic treatment plans that support recovery while keeping long-term health and development in mind.
Children and teenagers are still growing, which can influence how injuries develop and how they should be treated. Growth plates, changing flexibility, muscle strength, coordination, and periods of rapid growth are all important considerations.
Some injuries occur suddenly, while others develop gradually from repetitive activity, increased training demands, or insufficient recovery.
Common conditions we treat include:
Ankle sprains and ligament injuries
Knee pain, including patellofemoral pain syndrome
Osgood-Schlatter disease and other growth-related conditions
Sever’s disease and heel pain
Little League elbow and shoulder
Muscle strains and overuse injuries
ACL and meniscus injuries
Stress-related bone injuries, following appropriate medical evaluation
Fractures and post-immobilization rehabilitation
We consider not only the injury itself, but also where the athlete is in their growth and development, their training schedule, and the demands they’re hoping to return to.
Every young athlete is different. A gymnast recovering from an ankle injury has different needs than a baseball player with shoulder pain or a soccer player returning from knee surgery.
We begin by understanding how the injury occurred, what’s limiting the athlete, and what their sport requires of them.
Depending on the injury and stage of recovery, an evaluation may include:
Joint mobility and flexibility
Strength and muscular endurance
Balance and coordination
Jumping and landing control
Agility and change-of-direction movements
Growth and developmental considerations
Training volume and previous injury history
Treatment may combine hands-on manual therapy, progressive strengthening, neuromuscular training, and sport-specific exercises.
We gradually increase the demands of rehabilitation as the athlete progresses, taking into account tissue healing, physical development, and readiness for more challenging activities.
For young athletes, being pain-free doesn’t always mean they’re ready to return to practice or competition.
An athlete may feel comfortable during everyday activities but still need to rebuild strength, coordination, endurance, or confidence before returning to their sport.
When appropriate, we use functional testing, movement assessment, and progressive sport-specific activities to help guide return-to-sport decisions.
We also recognize the pressures young athletes can face. Missing games, competitions, or an important season can be difficult, especially when teammates and coaches are counting on them.
We work with athletes and their families to establish realistic expectations and balance the desire to return quickly with the