At Johns Hopkins, our team of orthopaedic specialists provide personalized, quality care to help young athletes overcome injuries. Whether your child is an aspiring gymnast, a rising football star, or just an active kid who got hurt, we can help you on every step, from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. Our orthopaedic surgeons, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and physical and occupational therapists work together to get your young athlete back on the field.
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Why Choose Us | Conditions We Treat | Our Team | Patient Resources | Featured Research
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Why Choose Johns Hopkins for Pediatric Sports Medicine
Convenient Locations
Our doctors see patients at many locations in Baltimore, Annapolis and the Washington D.C., area, and we have same and next day appointments in our clinics.
Compassionate Care
We understand young athletes are in a crucial period of development, so we tailor treatment plans to their needs and help kids be kids as they recover.
Expert Treatments
From research-proven nonsurgical treatments to advanced surgical techniques, your child is in good hands with our experienced team.
Conditions We Treat
Our pediatric sports medicine team cares for children with a variety of sports-related conditions affecting the bones, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Learn more about these conditions in our Health section:
Knee:
- ACL Injuries
- Meniscus Tears
- Discoid Meniscus
- Knee Pain
- Knee Dislocation
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Patella Dislocations
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Fractures:
- Fractures of the arms and legs, improperly healed fractures, growth plate fractures and growth disturbance
- Stress Fractures
Spine:
- Back Pain
- Spondylolysis and Spondylolithesis
Foot and Ankle:
- Ankle Sprains
- Coalitions of the feet
- Foot, Ankle, and Toe Injuries and Conditions
- Sever Disease
Pediatric Sports Injury Experts
Our pediatric orthopaedic specialists and primary care physicians see children, teens, and young adults. They are specially trained in treating injuries and other health concerns in children, whose bodies are still developing.
Erin Honcharuk, M.D.
Expertise: Dance Injuries
Dr. Honcharuk trained as a classical ballet dancer and continued dancing in multiple styles through college and medical school. She treats dancers as well as conditions that may affect an athlete’s ability to perform to their highest level, including flat feet, tarsal coalitions, knock knees or bowing of the knees, in-toeing, and limb length discrepancies.
R. Jay Lee, M.D.
Expertise: Knee Injuries
Dr. Lee specializes in the care of the young athlete, including ACL reconstruction, tibial spine fractures, pediatric meniscus tears and injuries to the discoid meniscus, complex ligament reconstruction in growing patients, and optimizing fracture care.
Paul Sponseller, M.D.
Expertise: Spine/Back Sports Injuries
Dr. Sponseller specializes in complex spine issues, including back-related sports injuries such as spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.
Ranjit Varghese, M.D.
Expertise: Care of Differently Abled Athletes
Dr. Varghese specializes in the care of children with neuromuscular disorders, including differently abled athletes, such as those with cerebral palsy.
Dr. Varghese specializes in the care of children with neuromuscular disorders, including differently abled athletes, such as those with cerebral palsy.
Eva Seligman, M.D.
Expertise: Concussion, Musculoskeletal Injuries and Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Dr. Seligman is a primary care sports medicine specialist providing non-surgical care to school-aged and young adult athletes who experienced sports-related injuries such as concussions and injuries of the shoulder, elbow, hand/wrist, hip, knee and foot/ankle.
Dr. Seligman is a primary care sports medicine specialist providing non-surgical care to school-aged and young adult athletes who experienced sports-related injuries such as concussions and injuries of the shoulder, elbow, hand/wrist, hip, knee and foot/ankle.
Bashir Zikria, M.D.
Expertise: Joint Injuries
Dr. Zikria helps people of all ages and activity levels restore stability and function after a joint injury, such as ACL, PCL and multi-ligament injuries to the knee, shoulder instability, rotator cuff problems and elbow conditions. He has years of experience managing high-stakes athletic injuries, from his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Baltimore Orioles, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and more.
Dr. Zikria helps people of all ages and activity levels restore stability and function after a joint injury, such as ACL, PCL and multi-ligament injuries to the knee, shoulder instability, rotator cuff problems and elbow conditions. He has years of experience managing high-stakes athletic injuries, from his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Baltimore Orioles, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and more.
Advanced Practitioners
Our physician assistants and nurse practitioners provide nonsurgical care to our pediatric patients.
Rebecca Campbell, P.A.-C.
Nurse practitioner assisting Ranjit Varghese, M.D.
Locations: Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center and Odenton
Rebecca treats patients with upper and lower extremity issues. She enjoys establishing a relationship with her patients and believes that education is important in helping patients return to the activities they love. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys cooking, tennis, spending time outdoors and spending time with her family.
Locations: Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center and Odenton
Rebecca treats patients with upper and lower extremity issues. She enjoys establishing a relationship with her patients and believes that education is important in helping patients return to the activities they love. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys cooking, tennis, spending time outdoors and spending time with her family.
Melissa Fought, C.P.N.P, O.N.P.
Nurse practitioner assisting R. Jay Lee, M.D.
Locations: Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center, Lutherville and White Marsh
Orthopedic medicine is important to Melissa as she wants patients to get back to all the activities they enjoy most. Melissa graduated in 2003 with her Master’s in Nursing and has worked in orthopedics since. Outside of work, her children keep her busy, but she also enjoys working out, traveling and outdoor activities.
Locations: Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center, Lutherville and White Marsh
Orthopedic medicine is important to Melissa as she wants patients to get back to all the activities they enjoy most. Melissa graduated in 2003 with her Master’s in Nursing and has worked in orthopedics since. Outside of work, her children keep her busy, but she also enjoys working out, traveling and outdoor activities.
Kristen Venuti, C.R.N.P.
Nurse practitioner assisting Paul Sponseller, M.D.
Locations: Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center and Lutherville
Locations: Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center and Lutherville
Karen Wille, P.A.-C.
Nurse practitioner assisting Erin Honcharuk, M.D.
Locations: Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center, Columbia and Lutherville
Karen Wille received her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Towson University in 2012. She has been working with pediatric patients as part of the Johns Hopkins department of orthopedic surgery for over 10 years. She loves helping young athletes get back to their sports. Karen is a former high school softball player and recreational flag football player. She is a half marathon runner and a wannabe golfer. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, camping, and spending time with her husband, two daughters, and a golden retriever.
Locations: Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center, Columbia and Lutherville
Karen Wille received her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Towson University in 2012. She has been working with pediatric patients as part of the Johns Hopkins department of orthopedic surgery for over 10 years. She loves helping young athletes get back to their sports. Karen is a former high school softball player and recreational flag football player. She is a half marathon runner and a wannabe golfer. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, camping, and spending time with her husband, two daughters, and a golden retriever.
Our Specialty Programs
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Pediatric Physical Therapy
Our team works closely with Johns Hopkins pediatric physical and occupational therapists to coordinate post-surgery rehabilitation or provide nonsurgical treatments when possible.
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Concussion Clinic
Pediatric neurologists, neuropsychologists and rehabilitation physicians at the Concussion Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute evaluate and treat children who suffered a concussion, which is a risk that comes with certain sports.
Research Videos and Publications
Foot and Ankle:
Spine:
- Video: Clinical Results and Functional Outcomes After Direct Intralaminar Screw Repair of Spondylolysis
- Video: Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Spondylolysis
- Research Paper: Anatomic parameters: direct intralaminar screw repair of spondylolysis
- Research Paper: Clinical Results and Functional Outcomes After Direct Intralaminar Screw Repair of Spondylolysis
- Research Paper: Intralaminar Screw Fixation of Spondylolysis
Knee:
Hear from Our Experts
Our team is here to answer your questions, offer support, and make you feel confident your child is receiving the best care.
Pediatric Soccer Injuries | Q&A with Dr. Jay Lee and Physical Therapist Alex Parra
Pediatric Bone Fractures | Q&A with Dr. Jay Lee
