What is a pediatric orthopedic?

Pediatric orthopedics is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions in children, from infancy through adolescence. Pediatric orthopedists, also known as pediatric orthopedic surgeons, have undergone extensive training and education to treat a wide range of orthopedic problems specific to children and adolescents, including bone and joint disorders, deformities, injuries, and sports-related conditions.

Here are some of the areas that pediatric orthopedists address:

1. Congenital Conditions: Pediatric orthopedists manage congenital orthopedic conditions, such as clubfoot, hip dysplasia, spina bifida, and other developmental abnormalities that affect the bones, joints, and muscles of children from birth.

2. Growth and Deformity Correction: They address growth-related issues and deformities, including scoliosis (curvature of the spine), leg length discrepancies, knock-knees, bowlegs, and other alignment problems.

3. Sports Injuries and Overuse Syndromes: With the active lifestyle of many children and adolescents, pediatric orthopedists treat sports-related injuries, overuse syndromes, stress fractures, and joint pain associated with sports participation.

4. Fractures and Trauma: Pediatric fractures are common, and pediatric orthopedists are skilled in managing fractures, dislocations, and other traumatic injuries in children and adolescents.

5. Musculoskeletal Infections: They diagnose and treat musculoskeletal infections, including osteomyelitis (bone infection), septic arthritis (joint infection), and other infections affecting the bones and joints of children.

6. Neuromuscular Disorders: Pediatric orthopedists collaborate with other specialists to manage orthopedic complications associated with neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spina bifida.

7. Metabolic Bone Diseases: They evaluate and treat metabolic bone diseases like rickets, osteoporosis, and other conditions that affect bone health and development in children.

8. Foot and Ankle Problems: Pediatric orthopedists diagnose and treat foot and ankle conditions such as flat feet, heel pain, toe deformities, and gait abnormalities in children.

9. Hip Conditions: They have expertise in managing hip-related conditions, including developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and Perthes disease, which affect the proper development of the hip joint in children.

10. Spine Conditions: Pediatric orthopedists treat various spine conditions, including spinal deformities like scoliosis, kyphosis, and spondylolisthesis, which affect the alignment and structure of the spine in children.

11. Oncologic Conditions: In collaboration with pediatric oncologists, they manage musculoskeletal tumors and bone lesions in children and adolescents.

Pediatric orthopedists work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as pediatricians, physiatrists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive care for children and adolescents with orthopedic conditions. They aim to restore proper function, alleviate pain, and improve the overall quality of life for their young patients.