What is Pediatric Orthopedics?

Pediatric Orthopedics is the study and treatment of growing bones, joints and muscles. The field of Pediatric Orthopedics at PHASTI uses many techniques, including observation of growth, physical therapy, braces and splints, and occasionally surgery to treat various conditions such as congenital deformities, injuries, neurological disorders, and developmental disturbances of the upper extremities. These conditions are discussed in general below, with links being added to more specific information as time goes by.

Variations of Normal Anatomy & Congenital Deformities
A small percentage of children have birth defects. These include extra fingers or toes called polydactyly, angulated, shortened, and stiff joints of the upper extremities, such as radial clubhand, absent or crooked digits, and Apert's syndrome. The pediatric hand surgeon will frequently follow these children through many years of growth from infancy into adult life.

Childhood Injuries
Children often break bones. With these fractures there is often a potential injury to the growth centers of the skeleton. The orthopedist evaluates the child for potential growth problems that may happen after the injury heals and treat growth disturbance if it occurs. Appropriate treatment of fractures, sprains and dislocations can ensure minimal disturbance of function and a quick return to normal childhood growth and activity.

Pediatric Sports Injuries
Pediatric Sports Medicine is an important part of health care. Children who engage in activities like soccer, karate, and skateboarding may have acute injuries such as broken bones, sprains, and dislocations. Many times chronic stress injuries occur, such as fractures, tendinitis, and apophysitis. Examples are "Little Leaguer's Elbow", Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the knee, and Sever's Disease of the foot. Treatment of these injuries is usually simple and seldom requires surgery.

Neurological Disease
Some patients seen by the orthopedist have neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, arthrogryposis, Erb's birth palsy, or the family of diseases known as dystrophies. Most of these disorders result in muscle imbalance and deformity in the upper extremity, including weakness, joint stiffness, and limited mobility. People with these disorders frequently require bracing, physical and occupational therapy or surgery to improve their ability to function to their greatest potential.