Best Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons Near Me

Who is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon?

A pediatric orthopedic surgeon, possessing superior training and extensive expertise, is the most adept professional to assess and address musculoskeletal issues in a growing child, encompassing newborns to teenagers. These specialists often operate within dedicated pediatric hospitals, ensuring comprehensive care for children with diverse medical conditions through collaboration with various pediatric specialists.

Choosing to focus on the well-being of children, pediatric orthopedic surgeons acquire specialized knowledge in the medical and surgical care of children through both advanced training and practical experience. These professionals complete the following education and training:

• Graduation from an accredited medical school (typically lasting four years)
• Completion of an approved orthopedic surgery residency program (typically spanning five years)
• Fulfillment of additional subspecialty training in pediatric orthopedics and pediatric spinal deformity (typically requiring one year)

What kinds of issues do pediatric orthopedic surgeons handle? 

Pediatric orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating conditions affecting children. Due to their ongoing growth, children's bodies respond differently to injuries, infections, or deformities than fully grown individuals.

In some cases, what appears to be a problem in a child may be a variation in growth that will resolve over time. An illustrative instance is in-toeing in toddlers. Numerous issues unique to the developing body are not present in adults.

Pediatric orthopedic surgeons actively diagnose, treat, and oversee the complete spectrum of musculoskeletal issues in children, encompassing:

• Limb and spine deformities detected at birth or later in life (such as clubfoot, scoliosis, and differences in limb length in the legs or arms)
• Gait abnormalities (limping)
• Fractured bones
• Torn ligaments (injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament, rotator cuff tears, etc.)
• Tendinitis and bursitis
• Infections in bones, joints, and muscles

Collaborating with specialists from other medical fields, pediatric orthopedic surgeons form part of a comprehensive medical-surgical team to address:

• Bone tumors: Uncontrolled cell division leads to bone tumors' development, resulting in abnormal tissue masses forming. Some bone tumors are malignant, exhibiting the ability to metastasize and spread cancer cells throughout the body. The treatment for malignant tumors typically involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
• Cerebral palsy (CP): This condition disrupts a child's muscle control due to damage or abnormalities in the brain regions responsible for movement and coordination. The spinal cord and muscles of a child with CP are structurally standard. While CP often begins before birth, it can also initiate during childbirth or in the early years of life.
• Juvenile arthritis manifests as a chronic inflammatory disease attacking healthy cells and tissues. Also called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), this long-lasting condition is the most prevalent form of arthritis in children in the country, affecting approximately 300,000 children under the age of 18.
• Muscular dystrophy (MD): It is a group of rare diseases that cause the weakening and deterioration of muscles, including voluntary muscles controlling movement in the arms, legs, and trunk. It can also impact involuntary muscles like the heart and respiratory muscles responsible for breathing.
• Spina bifida arises from improper spine and spinal cord formation, representing a type of neural tube defect. This defect occurs during the embryo's development, affecting the structure that eventually becomes the baby's brain, spinal cord, and surrounding tissues.

Sports safety for children

Young athletes today push themselves harder than ever, increasing their risk for sports-related injuries. Most of these injuries occur when children are unaware of safety practices, lack proper equipment, or are not in good physical condition. To prevent them, consider these essential tips:

• Wear correct safety gear: Children should always use appropriate safety gear tailored to their sport. Properly fitting helmets, pads, and protective eyewear can significantly reduce the risk of injuries.
• Ensure safe playing environments: The playing field or court should be well-maintained and free of hazards. Safe playing environments reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries.
• Match team members by size and skill: Teams should be organized with children of similar size, skill level, and maturity. It helps ensure fair play and reduces the risk of injuries from mismatched competition.
• Promote physical fitness and mental readiness: Children should be in optimal physical condition and mentally prepared for their sport. Regular conditioning and mental preparation can enhance performance and prevent injuries.
• Supervised practice: Practices should be monitored by an adult who enforces safety rules and provides guidance. Proper supervision helps ensure that safety protocols are followed.
• Stay hydrated: Children should drink enough fluids during and after sports activities to prevent dehydration, which can contribute to fatigue and increase injury risk.

By following these tips, parents and coaches can help young athletes stay safe while enjoying their sports activities.

Nevertheless, even with the best precautions, accidents can still happen, especially during sports and physical activities. In such cases, seeing an expert, like a pediatric doctor or a surgeon, is essential.

What should be anticipated in a pediatric orthopedic appointment?

When you visit a pediatric orthopedic surgeon near you, they will likely enquire about your child's medical history, symptoms, current medications, etc. Be open with them, as it will help them assess the disorder accurately. Also, remember that each visit caters to the child's age and development, which may include steps like:

Conducting medical evaluation

Parents or guardians will likely assist their child in responding to questions and providing necessary information. In addition to standard inquiries about symptom duration and type, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon typically examines details related to a patient's birth, development, and family history.

Performing the physical examination

The examiner adjusts the examination to the child's specific complaint and age. Recognizing that a toddler's ability to answer questions or follow instructions differs from a teenager's, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon may employ creative approaches, such as observing the child while playing, running, or handling objects. Parents or guardians often actively participate in the examination to ensure the child feels secure and complies with the doctor's instructions. It may involve holding nervous young patients in their lap or encouraging them to engage in various maneuvers.

Conducting tests

Depending on the issue, the child's visit might involve:

• CT scan, X-rays, MRI scan, or an ultrasound
• Casting or splinting
• A blood draw for laboratory testing

Parents or guardians typically have the opportunity to stay with the child for most, if not all, aspects of the clinic visit.

Where can you locate a pediatric orthopedic surgeon near you?

Pediatric orthopedic surgeons undergo extensive training and specialize in treating musculoskeletal issues in children. Your child's pediatrician or primary care doctor can recommend suitable practitioners.

However, finding a pediatric orthopedic surgeon tailored to your medical requirements may take time and delay your visit. Nevertheless, Zocdoc simplifies the process of discovering the ideal pediatric orthopedic surgeons. The platform dedicates itself to connecting patients with the most qualified healthcare providers.

On the Zocdoc website, you can enter details about your child's condition, preferred location, date, and insurance plan. Utilize the built-in filters on Zocdoc to refine your search for doctors based on gender, hospital affiliations, and specialization in treating specific pediatric orthopedic conditions. You can easily schedule real-time appointments with pediatric orthopedic surgeons who accept your insurance plan. Moreover, adding a photo of your medical insurance card on Zocdoc can help you pick the right plan, but it's optional. If you want, you can manually select your insurance plan from the provided list instead. For more details, visit Zocdoc's patient help center.

Zocdoc prioritizes transparency by providing comprehensive information about each specialist, including qualifications, experience, areas of expertise, certifications, licenses, and more. The platform compiles and regularly updates patient reviews, allowing you to read verified reviews and ratings to choose the best pediatric orthopedic surgeon near you. Additionally, Zocdoc offers the option for video consultations, identified by a purple-colored video button on the practitioner's profile or through a search filter for video availability.

All appointments facilitated through Zocdoc are easy, free, and secure!

Statistics on spina bifida

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that annually, approximately 1,278 infants are born with spina bifida, equating to 1 in every 2,875 births. To decrease the chances of neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida, the United States Public Health Service recommends that women of childbearing age consume 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid daily. To reinforce this advice, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the inclusion of folic acid in all grain products labeled as 'enriched,' such as bread, cereals, and rice.

A study utilizing data from 19 state-based congenital disabilities tracking programs gauged the impact of folic acid fortification on NTD prevalence. The findings indicated an overall 28% reduction in the prevalence of anencephaly (a brain congenital disability) and spina bifida.

Moreover, research suggests that fortification not only decreased the incidence of spina bifida but also mitigated its severity, with a 70% reduction noted in studies published after fortification compared to those before. Most of these improvements resulted from a decline in higher (more severe) cases.

Sources

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[1]

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[2]

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[3]

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[4]

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[5]

Mayo Clinic

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.