Dr. Chung examining her patient.

Oct 24, 2017 / General News

Ahead of the Game - Providing world-renowned pediatric sports medicine and orthopedic care

By Maggie Dingwell

FOR MORE THAN 95 YEARS, SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL has been at the forefront of innovation and expertise in pediatric orthopedics. The hospital has achieved this leadership role through its unwavering commitment to patient care, research and education. Those same guiding principles are also shaping the future of the hospital’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center. As the field of sports medicine continues to evolve, so too does the hospital and the community it serves. That is why we are excited to offer our world-renowned care in Plano today and transition these services to our new facility in Frisco next fall.

“We are always looking ahead to see what’s next, so we can anticipate the needs of our patients and how to effectively treat them,” explains Philip L. Wilson, M.D., assistant chief of staff and sports medicine orthopedist. “We adapt quickly to provide the best care, whether it’s through injury prevention or providing treatment after an injury occurs. We make sure these active kids are in good hands every step of the way.”

Like our athletes, Scottish Rite Hospital physicians have been ahead of the game since 2003 when the field of pediatric sports medicine began to take shape. The hospital’s expert staff noticed a change in the type of injuries active adolescents were sustaining as they began to focus on a single sport year-round. The repetitive stress on these growing bones caused an increase in overuse injuries.

“We continue to learn more about the toll it takes on an adolescent’s body to perform the same series of motions over and over, in many cases, for years,” says Wilson. “A big part of what we do for our patients centers around education.”

To that end, the hospital’s nationally recognized Center for Excellence in Sports Medicine team regularly hosts and participates in community educational events. This group of pediatric orthopedic sports specialists are committed to promoting safety and awareness. The goal is to inform young athletes, families, coaches and athletic trainers about the importance of proper nutrition, hydration and stretching exercises to prevent an injury.

“We understand that what may be effective in some cases doesn’t work in all cases,” explains Wilson. “That’s why we specialize in developing individualized treatment plans for our patients to care for every aspect of their recovery.”

Research plays a key role in developing innovative, custom treatments designed to return young athletes back to the game in a safe and timely manner.

The team conducts studies that are recognized by physicians throughout this medical specialty, establishing protocols that benefit our patients as well as active adolescents across the country. Research topics include concussions, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and other sports-related subjects.

“We are sharing our research at national conferences with fellow medical professionals to bring better care to young athletes everywhere,” says sports medicine orthopedist Henry B. Ellis, M.D. “We want to be the drivers of that information.”

Ellis was recently featured in U.S. News & World Report in an article addressing the continued rise of ACL tears in children. “There is a significant difference in treating a skeletally immature adolescent versus an adult,” Ellis explains. “Anytime you are dealing with growth-plate issues you are talking about treatments that will influence the longterm musculoskeletal development of these kids.”

The center is also highly regarded for its work in concussion research, which includes looking at the effects of returning to play, recovery time and longterm outcomes after an injury. Our pediatric sports medicine physicians Shane M. Miller, M.D. and Jane S. Chung, M.D., specialize in evaluating post-injury symptoms in young athletes and deciding whether the player is ready to return to competition.

For the second consecutive year, the American Academy of Pediatrics invited our sports medicine team to present their concussion study findings at their national conference and exhibition. From more than 2,000 submitted abstracts, the team’s research on female soccer players was selected for presentation. “Despite a rise in concussions, the culture in athletic competition is for players to tough it out and stay in the game,” says Miller. “Understanding the warning signs of a concussion is crucial for the overall safety and well-being of these young competitors. Our team is dedicated to raising awareness within both the medical and athletic communities.”

The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center staff understand accidents still happen – whether a child participates in athletics or not. That’s why the center features a Fracture Clinic, designed to handle those mishaps. Our fellowship-trained pediatric orthopedic specialists are ready to diagnose, treat and manage fractures to address the unique aspects of each child’s injury.

In addition to this service and its expert sports medicine practice, the Plano facility also offers hand and general orthopedic services. This access to Scottish Rite Hospital’s team of pediatric orthopedists allows the center to serve more patients and their families.

The Plano practice upholds the core principles of the hospital through its ongoing education initiatives within the community and its innovative research specific to sports-related injuries. The services and expertise provided at the current Plano campus will be the anchor for the future Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center being built in Frisco. We are excited for what is to come as we continue providing world-renowned pediatric orthopedic care to children and young athletes throughout the region.
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