As a pediatrician, I love seeing kids active. There is nothing quite like the smile on a childās face when they score their first goal or run across the finish line. Youth sports are fantastic for building character, making friends, and staying healthy. However, with more intensity in youth sports comes a higher risk of injury.
For parents, seeing your child get hurt is scary. You want answers, and you want them fast. You donāt want to sit in a crowded urgent care waiting room for hours just to be told to “ice it.” This is where the world of pediatric sports medicine concierge care changes everything. In my practice, I focus on giving young athletes the time, attention, and specialized care they truly need to get back in the game safely.
Why Kids Are Not Just “Small Adults”
One of the first things I tell parents is that treating a child is very different from treating an adult. Children have open growth plates. These are soft areas of cartilage at the ends of long bones where growth happens. Because these areas are softer than solid bone, they are often the weak link in the chain.
If an adult twists an ankle, they might tear a ligament. If a child twists an ankle the same way, they might actually fracture a growth plate. This requires a specific eye to diagnose. In a standard high-volume clinic, subtle growth plate injuries can sometimes be missed or treated incorrectly.
In a concierge setting, I have the time to look deeper. We talk about how the injury happened, where the pain is specifically, and how your childās body is developing. This helps us distinguish between simple growing pains and an injury that needs protection.
The Concierge Difference: Time and Access
The traditional healthcare system is often overwhelmed. Doctors are forced to see 30 or more patients a day. That leaves about 10 to 15 minutes for your child. In sports medicine, that simply isnāt enough time to do a full evaluation of how a child moves, eats, and trains.
In my pediatric sports medicine concierge model, we operate differently. Here is what that looks like for you:
- Direct Access: You have my cell phone number. If your child turns an ankle at a Saturday morning soccer game, you can text me immediately. You donāt have to guess if you need the ER.
- Longer Appointments: Our visits are not rushed. We can spend 30 to 60 minutes evaluating an injury. This allows me to watch your child walk, run, or jump to see the mechanics causing the issue.
- Same-Day Visits: When a child is in pain, waiting two weeks for a specialist appointment feels like an eternity. I make sure my patients are seen right away.
- Holistic Care: We donāt just look at the knee or the elbow. We look at the whole child, including their nutrition, sleep, and stress levels.
Comparing Standard Care vs. Concierge Care
To help you understand why many athletic families are switching to this model, I have created a chart to show the differences in how we handle sports injuries.
| Feature | Standard Healthcare | Concierge Sports Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Wait Time for Appt | Days or sometimes weeks | Same-day or next-day |
| Visit Length | 10-15 minutes | 30-60 minutes |
| Communication | Call centers and portals | Direct text/call with Dr. Sabeti |
| Focus | Treating the immediate symptom | Treating the athlete & prevention |
| Care Coordination | Referrals often get lost | I personally coordinate with specialists |
Common Injuries We Manage
In my practice, I see a wide range of sports injuries. Some are acute, meaning they happen suddenly, while others are overuse injuries that build up over time.
Overuse Injuries
These are very common in youth sports today because many kids specialize in one sport too early. If a child plays baseball year-round, the repetitive motion can stress the elbow or shoulder. Conditions like Little League Elbow or Osgood-Schlatter disease (knee pain) are frequent. Because I know my patients well, we can often catch these issues early before they become serious fractures.
Concussions
Head injuries are a major concern for parents. Managing a concussion requires close monitoring. It isn’t just about waiting for a headache to go away; it is about a gradual return to learn and a return to play. In a concierge practice, I can check in on your child daily to adjust their plan. This ensures their brain heals properly before they step back on the field.
Sprains and Strains
Ankle sprains are the most common injury in sports. While they might seem minor, if they aren’t rehabilitated correctly, they can lead to chronic instability. I work with families to ensure they have the right physical therapy exercises to strengthen the joint, preventing future sprains.
For more detailed information on how to keep young athletes safe, I often recommend parents read this guide on treating sports injuries from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is a trusted resource that aligns with how I practice medicine.
The Importance of Prevention
The best injury is the one that never happens. This is my favorite part of pediatric sports medicine concierge care. Because we aren’t rushing, we can spend time on prevention.
During a wellness visit or a sports physical, I look at the child’s flexibility and strength. If I notice that a young female soccer player has weak hips, I know she is at a higher risk for an ACL knee injury. We can then create a pre-habilitation plan. This involves specific exercises to strengthen those muscles before the season starts.
We also talk about equipment. Are their running shoes worn out? Is their helmet fitting correctly? These small details matter. In a standard physical that lasts 10 minutes, these details are often skipped. In my office, they are a priority.
Nutrition and Hydration for the Young Athlete
Fueling a growing body is hard work. Fueling a growing body that is also playing competitive sports is even harder. Many young athletes are tired not because of overtraining, but because they aren’t eating enough of the right foods.
I work with my patients to understand what they eat before and after practice. Are they getting enough protein to repair their muscles? are they drinking enough water? Dehydration can actually increase the risk of injury because it causes muscles to cramp and fatigue faster.
By having a close relationship with the family, I can give practical advice. I don’t just say “eat healthy.” I give examples of good snacks to keep in the gym bag. If a child is struggling with energy levels, we can run comprehensive lab panels to check for iron deficiency or vitamin deficiencies, something that is often overlooked in general check-ups.
Addressing Mental Health and Burnout
Sports should be fun. However, the pressure to perform can be intense. I see many kids who are physically fine but mentally exhausted. They are balancing school, social lives, and travel teams. This can lead to burnout.
Because I have a trusted relationship with the child, they are often more willing to open up to me than to a stranger. I create a safe space to talk about the pressure they feel. If a child is feeling overwhelmed, I can advocate for them. Sometimes, I write a prescription for “rest.”
Hearing a doctor say it is okay to take a break can be a huge relief for both the child and the parent. We work together to find a balance that keeps the child happy and loving their sport.
A Personalized Team Approach
When your child is an athlete, it takes a village to keep them healthy. In my concierge practice, I act as the quarterback of that team. If your child needs physical therapy, I donāt just hand you a referral slip. I recommend therapists I know and trust. I can call them to discuss the treatment plan.
If your child needs an orthopedic surgeon, I help you find the best pediatric specialist, not just whoever is on a list. I can facilitate that introduction and ensure the surgeon has all the medical history they need.
This coordination removes the stress from your shoulders. You donāt have to be the medical expert because I am doing that for you. You can focus on being the parent, offering hugs and encouragement, while I handle the logistics of their recovery.
The Value of Peace of Mind
I know that concierge care is an investment. But when you think about pediatric sports medicine concierge services, you are investing in more than just a doctor’s visit. You are investing in your child’s long-term health and your own peace of mind.
Imagine it is Friday night. Your son takes a hard hit in football. In the traditional model, you might panic, rush to the ER, wait six hours, and get exposed to sick people, only to be told to see a specialist on Monday. You spend the whole weekend worrying.
In my model, you call me. We discuss the symptoms. I might meet you at the office, or I might be able to assess him via video call and give you specific instructions for the night. You sleep better knowing a doctor who knows your son is looking out for him.
Getting Your Athlete Back in the Game
My goal is never to stop a child from playing the sports they love. I want to keep them on the field, the court, or the track. But I want them to do it safely. I want them to play in a way that protects their growing bodies so they can remain active adults later in life.
By choosing a model that prioritizes time, access, and a deep personal relationship, we can manage injuries smarter and faster. We can focus on prevention and total body health. We can make sure that youth sports remain a source of joy and growth, rather than pain and stress.
If you are tired of short visits and long wait times, and you want a doctor who is as invested in your child’s success as you are, then this approach is for you. Letās work together to build a strong, healthy foundation for your young athlete.
