The Paediatric Athlete Isn’t Just a Small Adult: The Three Rs - When to Reassure, When to Request Advance Imaging, When to Refer

Time: 0940 - 1030 | Venue: TBC, Academia (SGH Campus)

Track: Keynote Lecture

Speaker:

Overview:

Paediatric athletes are not simply smaller versions of adults—their open physes, developing anatomy, and unique injury patterns require a different approach to diagnosis and management. This keynote will introduce a practical “Three Rs” framework for evaluating the young athlete: when to Reassure, when to Request advanced imaging, and when to Refer. Through common case-based presentations – including the swollen or locked knee, anterior knee pain, first-time patellar dislocation, and the persistent “ankle sprain” – we will explore how to distinguish common, self-limited conditions from injuries that warrant further investigation or specialty care. Particular attention will be given to paediatric-specific diagnoses such as discoid meniscus, osteochondral injury, physeal injury, and stress injury, as well as situations in which advanced imaging may not be necessary.

Attendees will leave with practical red flags and decision points that can be readily applied when evaluating paediatric athletes in clinic.