What to Expect

• If you have specific questions about your child’s condition or treatment, write them down and bring them with you.
• Learn more about what to do before your appointment.

Sports Physical Therapy sees school-age children, teens and young adults up to age 21 for several physical issues. We mainly see kids who:

• Have hurt themselves playing
• Have orthopedic injuries
• Need to have surgery

Your child will see a physical therapist (PT) who specializes in kids and sports injuries.  The therapist will help your child recover from their injury and return to play without getting hurt again.

1. You and your child will meet with a PT who will ask about your child’s injury and your main concerns about your child’s body.
2. The PT will evaluate your child. This could mean watching how your child moves and doing special tests that tell us about your child’s strength, motion and balance.
3. During your visit, the PT will explain what they found and what they recommend.

Visits are usually 40 to 60 minutes. 

• Comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. Bring shorts and tennis shoes for your child, if your child is not wearing these already.
• Braces or crutches, if your child uses them.

Your PT will work with you to set specific goals for your child.

To help your child’s function improve as they recover from their injury, we may ask your child to do an exercise program at home.

Learn more about what to expect by reading The Sports Lab: Important Guidelines for Your Child’s Therapy Session (PDF).

We will provide instructions about what happens next and try to answer all of your questions. We will provide you with phone numbers to call us if you have questions after you leave.

For most tests, the PT will share results with you during your child’s visit.  For some standard tests, the PT needs to score the test after your visit. The PT will mail the results to you or call you with the results.

• If the PT recommends that you return to Seattle Children’s for treatment, we will help you set up more appointments.
• The PT will send a report to the doctor who referred you or call them to talk about your child’s care.

Call the clinic you are scheduled to visit.

• If there is anything specific you should do to prepare your child for the type of visit you are having, the scheduler will tell you when you make the appointment.
• Read The Sports Lab: Important Guidelines for Your Child’s Therapy Session (PDF) to learn more.
• Learn more about preparing your child for a clinic visit.

• Find your location in our map and directions section.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow time for registration.