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Article Category: Highlights

Fueling Up for Sports this School Year

Published on July 31, 2025

Last updated 12:58 PM July 31, 2025

Illustration of children playing sports surrounded by fruits and vegetables, water bottle

Wellstar knows that the beginning of the school year is often accompanied by getting back to extracurricular activities. With the return to the classroom and competition arenas, we know parents, coaches and teachers alike are concerned that their student athletes are fueling their bodies and brains for optimal performance.  

Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedics recommends getting the correct amount of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, iron, calcium and vitamin D, as well as fluids. Dietary supplements are not needed for youth athletes unless recommended by a healthcare professional. It is more important to meet the body’s caloric needs.

For hydration, it’s recommended that student athletes consume up to 20 ounces of fluid one hour before an activity and 5 ounces every 15 minutes during the activity.

“Proper nutrition and hydration are critical for all students, but particularly for athletes who are more active and burning more calories,” said Dr. Lindsay Stephenson, Wellstar pediatric orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. “I recommend using the nutritional guide released by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. This information makes it easier for students and their parents to understand the nutritional needs of the body to perform in the classroom and during competition.”

Access the recommended nutritional guide.

To learn more or make an appointment with Wellstar Pediatric Orthopedics, visit wellstar.org/pedsortho.

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Lindsay Patricia Stephenson Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Pediatric Sports Medicine
Bone and Joint Care
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Person with leg injury

Highlights

Accidents Happen. Know Where to Go to Get Care for Injuries in Augusta.

Ortho-On-Demand

Sports injuries, broken bones and sprains don’t have to interfere with your schedule—Wellstar Ortho-on-Demand at 1220 West Wheeler Parkway in Augusta has you covered with convenient care when you need it. Our expert team provides prompt treatment for people ages 8 and older for musculoskeletal injuries, including: 

  • Immediate orthopedics specialty care
  • X-rays to assess fractures and breaks
  • Bone, joint or muscle injuries
  • Ankle sprains or strains
  • Knee sprains or strains
  • Hand, elbow, wrist or shoulder injuries
  • Broken bones without an open wound
  • Splinting, casting and bracing by specialty clinicians
  • New back pain

We welcome walk-ins and offer same-day appointments for fast, efficient care. Learn more about Ortho-On-Demand.

Urgent Care

If you’re dealing with a minor injury or need care after your physician’s regular office hours, going to urgent care is often the right choice. Wellstar Urgent Care Centers provide quick, convenient care for non-emergency medical conditions. 

We also offer Virtual Urgent Care, which provides virtual health visits for minor medical concerns from the comfort and convenience of home. 

Wellstar Urgent Care provides:

  • Care for minor injuries, such as sprains and broken bones 
  • Treatment for medical issues like bites, burns and cuts 
  • Lab and X-rays 
  • Sports physicals
  • Occupational health services
  • Worker’s compensation services 

Wellstar Urgent Care has locations in Evans, Grovetown and South Augusta, or you can use our Virtual Urgent Care.

Emergency Care

In a life-threatening medical emergency, every second counts. Never put off getting the proper care when lives are on the line. Remember, driving yourself to the Emergency Department (ED) may delay care, so call 911 for the fastest access to emergency care. 

When the unexpected happens, Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center’s Emergency Department is always ready. Our trained team provides expert emergency care 24 hours a day for people of all ages. At Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia, the dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department team is specially trained in treating children.

Recognize the signs of a medical emergency: 

  • Fainting or loss of consciousness 
  • Sudden, severe pain 
  • Uncontrolled or severe bleeding 
  • Choking, coughing up blood or severe vomiting 
  • Changes in mental status, such as confusion or unusual behavior 
  • Traumatic injury due to a motor vehicle or other accidents 
  • Broken bones with an open wound

Remember, call 911 right away in a medical emergency. That way, care can begin sooner during the crucial time it takes to be transported to the hospital.

Some conditions, such as sports concussions or gout, may be best treated by a primary care or orthopedics clinician. Our Ortho-On-Demand team can refer you to other Wellstar locations if needed.

Keep reading
Person falling

Highlights

Injuries Aren't Convenient. But Wellstar Ortho-On-Demand Is.

Sports injuries, broken bones and sprains don’t have to interfere with your schedule. Wellstar Ortho-On-Demand in Augusta has you covered with convenient care when you need it. 

Our expert team provides prompt treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, including:

  • Bone, joint or muscle injuries
  • Ankle sprains or strains
  • Knee sprains or strains
  • Hand, elbow, wrist or shoulder injuries
  • Broken bones without an open wound
  • New back pain

Injuries love bad timing. We don’t. When inconvenient injuries happen, we’re here for you. We welcome walk-ins and offer same-day appointments for fast, efficient care.

Ortho-On-Demand treats patients ages 8 and older, providing tailored orthopedic solutions for children, teens and adults. You don’t need a referral for quick, expert care from our orthopedic specialists. You’ll get the care you need right when you need it—without the waits at the emergency department.

“If you're seen in the emergency department, you'll speak with a clinician, get an X-ray and then be told to follow up with your orthopedic provider,” said Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Monte Hunter. “When you come to Ortho-On-Demand, you're seen by a musculoskeletal specialist, and you're immediately part of the Wellstar orthopedic family. You will receive prompt specialized treatment to accelerate your care and recovery.”

If you need follow-up care from another specialist such as a hand surgeon or imaging like a CT scan or MRI, clinicians at other Wellstar locations will be able to access your visit information from Ortho-On-Demand using Wellstar MyChart. With this seamless transition of care, you can continue treatment with Wellstar’s extensive network of specialists and locations to more easily get the care you need.

Ortho-On-Demand's afternoon and evening hours are convenient for the “40-hour-a-week athlete," according to Dr. Hunter—those who balance full-time jobs with staying active and may need care outside the hours of other medical offices. During the fall, extended hours on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM are available.

“If you sprain your ankle at a church league softball game or fall around the house, you don’t have to go to the emergency department to be assessed. You can have immediate access to orthopedic professionals, get a quick orthopedic evaluation and X-ray, and be treated by professionals—all at one site,” Dr. Hunter said.

You can count on Ortho-On-Demand for your kids too. We treat everyone age 8 and older, so if your child falls on the playground or hurts themselves on the ball field, our team will provide compassionate, expert care to help them heal. 

Learn more at wellstar.org/orthoondemand. 

Keep reading
HAnd Surgery Pic

Newsroom

Hand Surgery: Precision & Compassion

Hand surgery is a unique and intricate field that combines the precision of microsurgery with the compassion required to treat patients of all ages. My journey into this specialized area of medicine comes from a deep passion for helping individuals regain function and improve their quality of life. This article explores my dedication to pediatric hand surgery and minimally invasive adult hand surgery, including arthroscopy and ultrasound-guided procedures such as carpal tunnel and trigger finger release.

The Beginnings of a Passion

From an early age, I was fascinated by the complexity of machines, computers and tools. Until high school, I was convinced that I should become an engineer. However, in the last month of high school I shadowed an orthopedic surgeon and told myself, “I’ll go to medical school if I can do that!” During my medical training, I was fortunate to be able to help many patients in the emergency department to return to their lives and work by treating their hand injuries. I became enamored with the hand’s intricate network of bones, tendons, nerves and muscles that allow for an incredible range of motion and dexterity. Also, in treating children during residency, I wanted to learn more about the growing hand and how I could help children gain the most function. This fascination led me to direct my career in medicine toward a particular focus on hand surgery and pediatric orthopedics.

Pediatric Hand Surgery: A Delicate Balance

Pediatric hand surgery is a particularly rewarding aspect of my practice. Children with congenital hand differences or traumatic injuries require specialized care that addresses both their physical and emotional needs. The challenge lies in the delicate balance of performing intricate surgeries on tiny, developing hands while ensuring minimal disruption to their growth and development.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of pediatric hand surgery is witnessing the resilience and adaptability of young patients. Their ability to recover and adapt to new circumstances is truly remarkable. Whether it is correcting a congenital anomaly like syndactyly (webbed fingers) or repairing a traumatic injury, the goal is always to restore function and enable these children to lead active, fulfilling lives. My favorite pediatric hand surgery is the index pollicization, in which I convert the index finger into a thumb for children who are born without a thumb.

Minimally Invasive Techniques: The Future of Hand Surgery

In recent years, minimally invasive techniques have revolutionized the field of hand surgery. These approaches offer many benefits, including reduced pain, faster recovery times and smaller scars. My practice has increasingly incorporated these techniques, particularly arthroscopy and ultrasound-guided procedures, to provide the best possible outcomes for my patients.

Arthroscopy: Precision Through Small Incisions

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that involves the use of a small camera, called an arthroscope, to visualize the inside of a joint. This allows for precise diagnosis and treatment of various hand conditions without the need for large incisions. In my practice, arthroscopy works well for conditions such as wrist ligament injuries, ganglion cysts and early-stage arthritis.

The advantages of arthroscopy are myriad. Patients experience less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays and quicker return to daily activities. Additionally, the smaller incisions result in less scarring, which is particularly important for hand surgery, where stiffness can lead to delayed recovery since tissues must stretch to recover.

Ultrasound-Guided Procedures: Real-Time Precision

Ultrasound-guided procedures have also become a cornerstone of my practice. This technique involves using ultrasound imaging to guide the placement of needles or surgical instruments in real-time. It is particularly useful for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger, where precise targeting of the affected area is crucial.

For carpal tunnel syndrome, ultrasound guidance allows for accurate placement of the needle during corticosteroid injections or for the release of the transverse carpal ligament. This results in effective symptom relief with minimal discomfort for the patient. Similarly, for trigger finger, ultrasound guidance ensures precise release of the constricted tendon sheath, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery.

The Human Connection: Building Trust and Empathy

While the technical aspects of hand surgery are undoubtedly important, the human connection is equally vital. Building trust and empathy with my patients is at the core of my practice. Each patient comes with their own unique story, and understanding their concerns and goals is essential for providing personalized care.

In pediatric hand surgery, this often involves working closely with both the child and their family. Explaining the surgical procedure in a way that is understandable and reassuring helps to alleviate anxiety and build confidence in the treatment plan. For adult patients, particularly those undergoing minimally invasive procedures, clear communication about the benefits and expectations of the surgery is crucial for informed decision-making.

Continuing Education and Innovation

The field of hand surgery is constantly evolving, with new techniques and technologies emerging regularly. Staying at the forefront of these advancements is a priority for me. I am committed to continuous education and regularly attend conferences, workshops and training sessions to refine my skills and learn about the latest developments in hand surgery.

Innovation is also a key aspect of my practice. I actively participate in research studies and collaborate with colleagues to explore innovative approaches and improve existing techniques. This commitment to innovation ensures that my patients receive the most advanced and effective treatments available.

Conclusion: A Lifelong Commitment

My passion for pediatric hand surgery and minimally invasive adult hand surgery comes from my desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my patients. The ability to restore function, alleviate pain and improve quality of life is incredibly rewarding. As I continue this journey, I remain dedicated to providing compassionate, cutting-edge care to all my patients, young and old.

Hand surgery is more than just a profession for me; it is a lifelong commitment to excellence, empathy and innovation. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to gain experience and grow, and I am grateful for the privilege of being able to help my patients achieve their best outcomes.

Keep reading
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