Pediatric Non-Operative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Pediatric orthopedics and sports medicine help children and teens with bone, joint, and muscle problems. These issues can happen as kids grow, play sports, or just go about their daily lives. Many of these problems can be treated without surgery. That means using things like physical therapy, modified activities and proper shoewear/equipment to help kids heal and feel better.

What Is Non-Operative Pediatric Orthopedics?

Pediatric orthopedics is a special kind of care for kids with problems in their bones, muscles, and joints. These problems might be present at birth, show up as they grow, or happen because of an injury. Doctors who work in this field understand how children’s bodies grow and change. They use gentle, non-surgical treatments to help kids move better and feel less pain.

What Is Pediatric Sports Medicine?

Pediatric sports medicine focuses on helping young athletes recover from injuries and stay healthy while playing sports. It also helps kids who are active but not on a team. This kind of care includes treating injuries, preventing future problems, and teaching safe ways to play and exercise. Special attention is given to high school athletes who may experience more intense training and competition.

How These Conditions Are Treated

Most of these conditions can be treated without surgery. Common treatments include:

Physical Therapy – Exercises to help with strength, balance, and movement.
Braces or Casts – To support healing bones or joints.
Rest and Activity Changes – Giving the body time to heal.
Education – Teaching kids and families how to prevent injuries.
Nutrition and Bone Health – Helping kids grow strong and stay active.

Care in Southeastern North Carolina

EmergeOrtho – Coastal Region provides expert non-operative pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine care to families in southeastern North Carolina, including Wilmington, Jacksonville, Shallotte, Leland, and surrounding communities. Whether your child is a young athlete or simply growing up strong, our team is here to help.

Common Conditions Treated:

Growth & Development

Flatfeet – When the arches of the feet are low.
In-Toeing / Out-Toeing – Feet that point inward or outward while walking.

Spine & Posture

Back Pain – Often from poor posture, constipation or activity.
Spondylolysis- Stress fractures in the back, usually occurring in teenage athletes.

Sports Injuries

Fractures- Broken bones. Kids are more likely to break a bone than sprain or strain a body part.
Sprains & Strains – Stretched or torn muscles and ligaments.
Joint dislocations (shoulder and knee)- when a joint comes out of place.
Stress Fractures – Micro-cracks in bones from overuse.
Sever’s Disease – Heel pain from growing.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease – Knee pain from growing.
Little League Shoulder / Elbow – Overuse injuries from throwing that affects growth plates (parts of the bone contributing to growth).
Gymnast’s Wrist – Pain from a chronic growth plate injury to the wrists.
Concussions – Brain injuries from a bump or fall. These are carefully evaluated and managed to ensure safe return to school and sports, especially for high school athletes.
Overuse Injuries – Pain from doing the same motion too much.

Other Conditions

Growing Pains – Aches in the legs, especially at night.
Nursemaid’s Elbow – A pulled elbow from swinging or lifting.

Want to Learn More?

If your child has pain, trouble walking, or a sports injury, help is available. Pediatric non-operative orthopedic and sports medicine physicians are trained to care for growing bodies with gentle, non-surgical treatments.

Learn more about our pediatric non-operative orthopedic and sports medicine physician, Rebecca A. Demorest, MD, FAAP.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Sports Medicine

What is a sports medicine physician?
What is sports medicine?

What is a sports medicine physician?

At EmergeOrtho, our sports medicine physicians are orthopedic surgeons who specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries related to sports and physical activity. They provide comprehensive care for athletes and active individuals, offering both nonsurgical treatments and surgical interventions when needed. Their expertise helps patients return to activity safely and efficiently—whether recovering from overuse injuries, sprains, fractures, or joint instability.

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is a specialized branch of orthopedic care that focuses on treating injuries and conditions related to sports, exercise, and physical activity. It serves athletes and anyone experiencing musculoskeletal pain or injury that limits their mobility. Sports medicine aims to help patients recover quickly and safely while improving performance and preventing future injuries.

WE PROUDLY SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING TEAMS:

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As our patient, you will benefit from a full range of orthopedic services, specialties and technologies, including physical and hand therapy, advanced imaging services, and urgent care walk-in services providing immediate diagnosis and treatment for urgent orthopedic conditions.

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