Parents What doctor to go to?

[samadams]

My Dd is complaining of pain on the backside of her knee and on the backside of her ankle above her heel. Should we go to her pediatrician , orthopedic doctor, sports medicine ? Any ideas?

 

[bookworm]

I would go to a children's hospital with a sports medicine department in it, and ask if they have docs who frequently work with gymnasts.

 

[gymmomof1]

Sports medicine who know gymnastics. That's who I take Dd to. Also you can ask coach or other parents of upper level girls in gym who they go to.

 

[Frase]

We always use a sports physio first (or in rare cases accident + emergency!). They tend to be much more understanding of what their little bodies go through and what's normal for a gymnast which can be very different than that of a non- gymmie.

 

[Kiwi]

DD has had problems with her ankle and heel. We usually first go to a physio who knows gymnastics or dance. They can refer on to a sports physician if necessary - this is what happened to DD, the sports physician also referred her to a sports podiatrist to get special inserts for her shoes.

 

[munchkin3]

Pediatric sports orthopedics.

 

[MILgymFAM]

I hear everyone's advice, and it's solid, but for us all roads start at the pediatrician. It's the only way that insurance will cover specialists. Just wanted to throw that out there.

 

[thefellowsmom]

Same. pediatrician first for referral and then sports medicine clinic. try to see a sports doc that knows gymnastics. the nice thing about a good sports med clinic is they can coordinate medical care and PT etc. my kids got a whole team.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

I hear everyone's advice, and it's solid, but for us all roads start at the pediatrician. It's the only way that insurance will cover specialists. Just wanted to throw that out there.

then you'll probably be stuck. there are good Ped's out there. if they think it might be something i'm sure they'll refer you on.

 

[MILgymFAM]

then you'll probably be stuck. there are good Ped's out there. if they think it might be something i'm sure they'll refer you on.

Neither of my kids are injured or ill- I just wanted to make sure the OP gave insurance a thought before deciding where to go. For us, I have never had a pediatrician or primary care dr refuse a referral, ever, it just needs to be the first stop.

 

[samadams]

Luckily the insurance doesn't require a referral to see a specialist. Off to the sports med. dr we go.

 

[Amusibus]

I agree sports medicine orthopedic familiar with treating gymnasts. And if they think it necessary maybe a good physical therapist. After ruling out all the horrible stuff, they can work wonders with the cases that the MD's don't know what to do with. So can chiropractors, but not for extremities.