Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, is advancing orthopaedic care in Qatar with the introduction of a specialised paediatric orthopaedic sports medicine service.
The latest offering from the Sidra Medicine’s Orthopaedics Department delivers growth-sparing surgical techniques, tailored for children and young adults.
Dr Farhan Ali, chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Sidra Medicine, said: “Accurate and early diagnosis is critical in paediatric sports injuries, as delayed or incorrect treatment can significantly impact outcomes.”
“Unlike adult sports medicine, treating young athletes requires a fundamentally different approach, as children have open growth plates that are highly vulnerable to long-term damage if not managed correctly,” he explained.
“Our paediatric orthopaedic sports medicine service reinforces our position as a regional hospital of choice for highly specialised paediatric care,” Dr Ali continued. “t addresses a critical gap in paediatric orthopaedics and reduces the need for families to travel abroad for treatment.”
The impact of the service was recently demonstrated through the successful treatment of a rare and complex paediatric case, highlighting Sidra Medicine’s ability to deliver advanced, precision-led care for growing children.
A 12-year-old patient with a sports-related knee injury continued to experience pain and instability despite being treated at another external facility.
He was referred to Sidra Medicine for further assessment.
Upon evaluation, specialists conducted a comprehensive reassessment and confirmed the diagnosis of a rare femoral avulsion of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Dr Nedal Alkhatib, attending orthopaedic surgeon at Sidra Medicine, said: “While sports injury procedures are widely available across private hospitals in Doha, this level of paediatric specialisation remains limited.”
“Thanks to our experience, we were able to identify an exceptionally uncommon injury, with only a limited number of cases reported worldwide,” he said. “Our care programme involved a highly specialised approach tailored to a growing patient.”
The procedure used a minimally invasive arthroscopic technique with all-suture anchors, without metal or permanent implants.
Crucially, the procedure preserved the patient’s growth plates which are particularly vulnerable in children and young adults.
The patient has since shown strong recovery, with restored joint stability and improved function.
“Treating sports injuries in children is fundamentally different from adult care,” Dr Alkhatib pointed out.
“Growth plates are the most vulnerable part of a child’s skeleton,” he added. “If not addressed correctly, they can create long-term compilations such as limb length discrepancies or deformities.”
“Our approach focuses on repairing the injury while preserving normal development to ensure long-term outcomes are not compromised,” Dr Alkhatib said.
The patient’s family also highlighted the impact of the care journey at Sidra Medicine.
“After months of uncertainty and seeing our son continually struggling with pain, coming to Sidra Medicine was a turning point for us,” they recounted. “The team took the time to reassess his condition thoroughly and explained everything clearly.”
“What gave us the most reassurance was their focus on treating the injury while protecting his growth and future mobility,” they added. “We are incredibly grateful to see him regain his strength and confidence.”
Sidra Medicine’s latest paediatric orthopaedic sports medicine offering from the Department of Orthopaedics is led by Dr Alkhatib, a dual fellowship-trained attending surgeon, specialised in paediatric orthopaedics and orthopaedic sports medicine.
The service offers comprehensive management of sports-related injuries in children and young adults, supported by advanced surgical techniques and tailored rehabilitation programmes.
As participation in youth sports continues to grow, the demand for precise, age-specific care is increasing, and Sidra Medicine continues to meet this need by ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time, with outcomes that support both recovery and long-term health.
For more details, visit www.sidra.org
