Sports injuries in children and the clumsy child.

The clumsy child may be clumsy for various reasons. The child may have a host of different athletic injuries that, although trivial, may cause him or her to limp or fall. These have to be ruled out and sought out. The unique physiology of children has to be considered in making the diagnosis. One is also obligated to rule out the other causes of clumsiness, rotational deformities, neurologic problems, or muscle diseases. And finally, one should not label the normal child who may not be a great athlete as clumsy or refer the child for unnecessary therapy or treatment.