Your child is hurting, and you want help now. Finding the right specialist for a growing child is not always straightforward, and that is where University Orthopaedic Associates comes in.

UOA provides adolescent orthopaedic care for patients aged 10 and above throughout New Jersey. Our orthopaedic specialists understand that a minor’s body is not simply a smaller adult body, and we treat it accordingly. Every plan we create is shaped around your child’s specific condition, activity level and long-term health.

Who We Treat

Adolescent orthopaedic care at UOA is open to children and teens aged 10 and older. Athletes come to us regularly, but so do kids who have never played a sport in their lives. If your child has a bone, joint, muscle or tendon problem, our team can help.

Orthopaedic conditions do not sort themselves by activity level, and neither does our care. Growth-related injuries, overuse conditions and acute trauma are all part of what we treat every day.

Conditions and Injuries We Treat

Children get hurt in many different ways. Below is a look at what our specialists treat on a regular basis:

• ACL/PCL/LCL/MCL injuries
• Fractures
• Growth plate fractures
• Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
• Medial epicondylitis (Pitcher’s or Golfer’s Elbow)
• Patella tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)
• Sprains and strains
• Concussions

Concussion Treatment

Concussions are one of the most common sports-related injuries in adolescents, and they are also one of the most mismanaged. Many families assume their child just needs a few days of rest and will bounce back on their own. Sometimes that is true. But without a proper evaluation, it is hard to know how serious the injury really is or whether your child is ready to return to play safely.

At UOA, our non-operative sports medicine specialists are experienced in diagnosing and managing sports-related concussions. If your child has taken a hit to the head and is dealing with headaches, dizziness, brain fog or light sensitivity, get them seen right away. According to the CDC’s HEADS UP concussion guidelines, gradual return-to-play plan is critical for your child’s safety and long-term well-being.

Our physicians assess symptoms at each visit, track your child’s progress and clear them for activity based on how they are doing. If needed, we can also help coordinate with school staff to support academic accommodations during recovery.

Our Continuum of Care

One of the biggest advantages of choosing UOA for adolescent orthopaedic care is having everything your child needs in one place. We call this our Continuum of Care. Your child gets a coordinated team working together, not a series of separate appointments scattered across different practices.

Here is what that looks like in practice:

Non-Operative Sports Medicine Specialists

They treat injuries and conditions without surgery when that is the right approach. They use tools like musculoskeletal ultrasound to get an accurate picture of what is going on, then build a plan based on your child’s goals and activity level. If surgery turns out to be necessary, that transition is handled within the same practice.

Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeons

These are fellowship-trained and board-certified. When surgery is the right path, our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive techniques that support faster healing and a safer return to activity. They have cared for athletes at every level, from youth leagues to the college ranks.

Interventional Physiatrists and Pain Management Specialists

These specialists focus on finding the root cause of pain and building targeted, non-surgical treatment plans. Options may include guided injections, nerve blocks and other non-opioid therapies matched to your child’s specific condition.

Physical Therapists

They provide on-site rehabilitation throughout the recovery process. They work directly alongside our physicians so your child’s progress stays consistent from the first visit all the way through return to full activity.

Because all these specialists are in-house, care stays connected. Everyone is always on the same page.

Why Families Choose UOA

UOA has been caring for athletes and active patients of all ages for over 50 years. Our experience with adolescent patients is extensive. Each physician on our team is trained in a subspecialty, including sports medicine, hand and upper extremity, foot and ankle and spine, so your child always sees someone who truly knows their area.

We serve as team orthopaedic physicians for Princeton University, Rider University, Rutgers University and numerous high schools across New Jersey, which speaks to the level of care your family can expect. Multiple locations across the state, combined with on-site imaging and physical therapy, make the experience as easy as possible.

Get Started With Adolescent Orthopaedic Care at UOA

If your child is dealing with an injury or orthopaedic condition, our team is ready to help. University Orthopaedic Associates provides expert adolescent orthopaedic care for families across New Jersey. Request an appointment today and take the first step toward getting your child back to what they love.