Pediatric Musculoskeletal Injury Rehabilitation

Helping children move safely, recover fully, and return to play with confidence

At Daviess Community Hospital’s CORE Center, our pediatric therapy team helps children and teens recover from sprains, strains, fractures (post-immobilization), overuse injuries, and sports-related musculoskeletal conditions. We use age-appropriate, play-based therapy to restore strength, range of motion, balance, and movement control—so kids can safely return to school, sports, and play. Care is available in Washington and Odon, Indiana, and families visit us from across Southern Indiana.

Who may benefit

Schedule an evaluation if your child has:

• Ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder sprain/strain
• Fracture with lingering stiffness/weakness after cast/brace removal (as cleared by the provider)
• Overuse injuries (e.g., heel pain in runners/jumpers, knee pain with growth spurts, throwing-related shoulder/elbow pain)
• Post-surgical rehab needs (as ordered by the surgeon)
• Pain, swelling, or difficulty keeping up with teammates after an injury
• Instability, balance problems, or altered movement patterns after time off

For head injury or dizziness after sport, see Pediatric Concussion Rehabilitation.
If your child needs a custom brace/splint for the upper extremity, see Custom Splinting.

How CORE helps

Our pediatric physical therapists design individualized, sport-aware plans that match your child’s age, goals, and provider instructions. Therapy may include:

• Swelling and pain management strategies (non-pharmacologic)
• Range-of-motion restoration and soft-tissue mobility
• Strength and endurance for the injured area and the whole kinetic chain
• Neuromuscular control & movement re-training (landing mechanics, cutting, pivoting, throwing)
• Gait training, balance, and proprioception to reduce re-injury risk
• Gradual return-to-play progression aligned with surgeon/orthopedist guidance
• Injury-prevention education (warm-up, recovery, training volume)
• Home program & caregiver coaching to keep gains moving between visits

When appropriate, we coordinate with orthopedics, pediatricians, school personnel, coaches, and athletic trainers to support a safe and confident return.

What to expect

Evaluation

We review the injury history, physician/surgeon instructions, sport demands, and your child’s goals. We assess range of motion, strength, balance, movement quality, and sport-specific tasks (as appropriate).

Personalized plan

Together, we set clear goals and a visit schedule. Sessions are active and engaging—using age-appropriate drills and games to rebuild capacity and confidence. You’ll receive a simple home plan that fits your family’s routine.

Progress and return-to-play

We measure outcomes, update the plan as your child improves, and follow clearance guidance from your surgeon/orthopedist. Our goal is a strong, safe return to sport—and a plan to help prevent re-injury.

Signs your child is ready for rehabilitation

• Joint feels stiff, weak, or unstable after brace/cast removal
• Pain or swelling limits practice or school PE
• Child avoids movements like jumping, cutting, or throwing
• Confidence is low after a fall or re-injury

Early, guided rehab can help kids get back faster—and reduce the risk of sitting out again.

Locations and scheduling

CORE Center | 421 E. Van Trees Street, Washington, IN
CORE Center at North Daviess | 800 S. West Street, Odon, IN

Call (812) 254-8889 to schedule a pediatric musculoskeletal rehab evaluation or ask about referral requirements.
Many insurers require a physician referral—our team can help you determine next steps.

We welcome families from Daviess County and across Southern Indiana, including Washington, Odon, Jasper, Vincennes, Loogootee, Petersburg, Bloomfield, and nearby communities.

FAQs

Do you require a referral?
Many plans do. Call (812) 254-8889 and we’ll help you verify benefits and next steps.

When can my child return to sport?
Return-to-play is based on your child’s progress and provider clearance. We follow evidence-guided criteria and the surgeon/orthopedist’s protocol.

Do you work with schools and athletic trainers?
Yes. With your permission, we collaborate with coaches, ATs, and school staff to support safe progression.

Do you treat fractures?
We provide post-immobilization rehabilitation once the bone is healed enough and your provider has cleared your child for therapy.