Spring is here, bringing warmer weather, longer days, and a season full of sports and outdoor activities for kids. Whether it’s soccer, baseball, track, or simply playing outside, this time of year means young athletes are back in action. While staying active is essential for their health and development, it’s also important to ensure they’re training safely, preventing injuries, and building strong, healthy bodies.
At WashU Medicine Orthopedics, experts are here to support young athletes with specialized care, helping them stay in the game all season long. And in the unfortunate scenario of an accident, the WashU Medicine Orthopedic Injury Clinic is available to get your athlete back on track. WashU Medicine Orthopedic Injury Clinic has 11 area locations, with four offering same-day access and weekend hours.
Preventing overuse injuries in young athletes
Youth sports participation has numerous benefits, but the risk of overuse injuries is a growing concern. Dr. Will Hollabaugh at WashU Medicine Orthopedics highlights the dangers of early sports specialization, where young athletes focus intensely on a single sport year-round. This repetitive stress increases the likelihood of injuries such as stress fractures, growth plate injuries, and tendonitis and joint pain.
“Repetitive stress without sufficient recovery can lead to overuse injuries, which are becoming more common due to what’s known as the ‘professionalization of youth sports,’” Dr. Hollabaugh explains. “And so the American Academy of Pediatrics republished a really helpful article, Overuse Injuries, Overtraining and Burnout in Young Athletes, that describes pretty easy recommendations for prevention of overuse injuries in young athletes.”
To mitigate these risks, experts recommend:
- At least one to two days off per week for recovery
- Cross-training in different sports to balance muscle development
- Limiting weekly training hours to less than the athlete’s age (e.g., a 14-year-old should train for fewer than 14 hours per week)
- Prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and rest to allow for proper healing
Recognizing signs of overtraining—such as persistent fatigue, mood changes, or declining performance—can prevent long-term damage and keep young athletes performing at their best.
A new era of care for female athletes
WashU Medicine Orthopedics is pioneering a comprehensive female athlete program, led by Dr. Katherine Caldwell, whose approach goes beyond musculoskeletal treatment. This multidisciplinary clinic focuses on the unique needs of active females ages 13 to 35, including pregnant and postpartum women seeking to stay active or return to exercise and athletes recovering from injuries or managing hormonal changes affecting performance. Key features of the program include:
- Personalized Care: Treating common female athlete injuries such as ACL tears, stress fractures, and hip pain with customized rehabilitation plans
- Integrated Health Support: Providing access to nutrition counseling, sports psychology, and pelvic floor therapy to ensure a whole-body approach to care
- Inclusive Treatment: Serving female athletes ages 13 to 35, including competitive athletes, weekend warriors, and pregnant or postpartum women returning to activity
- Collaborative Approach: Partnering with physical therapists, athletic trainers, and mental health professionals to provide seamless, team-based care
“We’re treating the whole athlete, not just the injury,” Dr. Caldwell says. “Our goal is to provide specialized care tailored to female biomechanics, hormone fluctuations, and unique training demands.”
By offering both preventive and rehabilitative strategies, WashU Medicine Orthopedics is setting a new standard in women’s sports medicine, ensuring that female athletes stay strong, resilient, and injury-free.
Despite one’s best efforts, injuries can happen in an instant—whether it’s a hard fall on the soccer field, a twisted ankle on the basketball court, or an unexpected collision during practice. While some minor aches and pains can be managed at home, more serious injuries require expert evaluation to ensure proper healing and prevent long-term complications. That’s where the WashU Orthopedic Injury Clinic comes in, providing same-day access to specialized orthopedic care for pediatric sports injuries. With a team of experts trained in treating growing athletes, the clinic offers fast, effective treatment designed to get kids back in the game safely and with confidence.
WashU Orthopedic Injury Clinic: Expert care when your young athlete needs it most
The WashU Orthopedic Injury Clinic provides expert, same-day care for acute musculoskeletal injuries, including sprains, fractures, and sports-related conditions. Designed as a convenient alternative to the emergency room, the clinic offers specialized orthopedic treatment without the long wait times. Staffed by fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists, the clinic ensures patients receive precise diagnoses and effective treatment plans tailored to their needs. Whether it’s a sudden sports injury, a work-related accident, or an unexpected fall, the Injury Clinic delivers high-quality, efficient care to get patients on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.
Located in state-of-the-art facilities, each WashU Orthopedic Injury Clinic location is equipped with on-site imaging, casting and bracing services, streamlining the treatment process. Patients benefit from direct access to top-tier orthopedic expertise, reducing the need for multiple appointments or referrals. With extended hours and walk-in availability, the clinic is dedicated to providing accessible and timely orthopedic care for individuals of all ages. Whether treating a minor injury or a more complex orthopedic issue, the WashU Orthopedic Injury Clinic ensures every patient receives exceptional, comprehensive care in three area locations: Chesterfield, St. Charles and South County.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Washington University Orthopedics. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hollabaugh or Dr. Caldwell, or to learn more about Washington University Orthopedics, visit www.ortho.wustl.edu.
