Sport-related concussion is a frequent injury in athletes of all ages. Although important steps have been taken to improve sports safety and reduce the incidence of concussion, there are still over 1 million sport-related concussions per year in youth athletes in the United States. The Sports Medicine specialists at Yale Medicine Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation are dedicated to providing the highest quality treatment of all athletic injuries, and helping youth athletes recover and safely return to their sports. Our multidisciplinary team includes a dedicated and compassionate group of concussion specialists including Sports Medicine physicians, pediatric neurosurgery providers, physical therapists with special expertise in concussion and vestibular treatment, nurses, and social workers to address all the components of an athlete’s well-being after a diagnosis of concussion. In addition, our patients benefit from access to the expert providers in pediatric neurology, neuropsychology, and behavioral health at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and Yale Medicine. Our patients benefit from a comprehensive initial visit, which includes a review of their history and a thorough concussion examination, including all domains of concussion symptoms and signs. Our doctors and physical therapists help our patients and their parents to understand their symptoms and outline steps for recovery based on the latest evidence and best clinical practices, tailoring treatments to each patient’s set of symptoms. If any musculoskeletal injuries occurred at the same time as a concussion, our Sports Medicine specialists are also experts in the diagnosis and treatment of athletic injuries and joint pain. Often, follow-up doctor visits can be done via telemedicine, which is convenient for patients and their parents. If a specific need arises, patients with sport-related concussion may benefit from consultation with another expert Yale clinician to discuss headaches, sleep disturbances, mood symptoms including anxiety and depression, cognitive symptoms affecting school performance, visual symptoms, or concerns about the long-term risks of concussions. Our Sports Medicine specialists work with patients’ schools and athletic trainers to facilitate their returning to the learning environment and to physical activities in a gradual and supervised progression.

We offer evaluation and comprehensive treatment of all types of child maltreatment, including those who may have been sexually abused. Our multidisciplinary team treats each child and family with compassion and respect. Our services include: Inpatient consultation Telephone consultation for area medical providers Case assessment for children under investigation by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child sexual abuse evaluation Forensic Interviews Trained social workers meet with children to obtain information regarding the sexual abuse allegation. The interviews are conducted in a neutral, child-friendly environment. They are recorded using state-of-the-art equipment to allow medical staff, police, and DCF personnel to observe the interview as it occurs. Medical Interviews and Examinations Specially trained pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners document the child’s medical history, as well as the history of the sexual abuse concern. The child also receives a complete physical exam. Child Life A trained professional who specializes in child development provides age-appropriate preparation for the forensic interview and medical examination. The child life specialist may also provide direct support of the child during the physical examination.

We offer comprehensive, compassionate care for children with traumatic injuries requiring surgery. Our team has ready access to laboratory, radiology, and diagnostic services to help provide the most accurate and immediate care available. Our team of pediatric surgeons and advanced practice nurses (APRNs) works together to address each child’s needs in treating injuries caused by trauma. We collaborate with primary care providers and other pediatric and medical specialists to optimize each child’s health care and provide parents with a comprehensive network for all of their child’s follow-up care, if necessary. We understand that traumatic injury can be frightening for the parents and the child. We want to help everyone feel as comfortable and safe as possible while addressing the child’s immediate medical and surgical needs. All of our team members have extensive experience in working with children and take extra measures to ensure that each child receives top-level care and that he or she feels safe and comfortable.