Pediatric Orthopedics is the study and treatment of growing bones, joints and muscles. Pediatric Orthopedists use many techniques, including observation of growth, physical therapy, braces and splints, and occasionally surgery to treat conditions such as congenital deformities, injuries, neurological disorders and scoliosis.

Frequently, young children and adolescents have conditions that are variations of normal anatomy. These include children who toe-in or toe-out excessively, children with round-back or sway-back, and children who have unusual patterns of walking such as "toe walking." Often these problems are variations of normal developmental patterns and do not represent an underlying disease. In such cases, the child's growth and patterns of walking, posture and muscular development need to be observed over time.

A small percentage of children have birth defects. These include spinal problems such as scoliosis and spina bifida, congenital hip dislocations, limb deformities such as clubfoot, or other congenital defects such as extra fingers or toes. Pediatric Orthopedists care for these children through years of growth and into adult life with both non-operative and surgical therapies. Specialized care by the pediatric orthopedic team at the Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital will ensure that these children have the best possible outcomes and level of function.

Children often break bones. With these fractures there is often a potential injury to the growth centers of the skeleton. The Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital treats the injured child in a manner that minimizes the risk of post-traumatic growth deformities. This specialized care will speed the child’s recovery and return to activities.

Children who engage in activities like soccer, football, karate and skateboarding may have acute injuries such as broken bones, sprains and dislocations. Chronic stress injuries such as fractures, tendonitis and growth plate inflammation may occur. The Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital is experienced in the evaluation and treatment of such injuries. With prompt, specialized treatment most injured children and adolescents will return to their previous levels of competition.

We treat children with neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Most of these disorders result in muscle imbalance and deformity in the areas involved such as drop foot and scoliosis.

Children with cerebral palsy or spina bifida frequently require bracing or surgery to improve their ability to function to their greatest potential.

Children’s bones must be treated differently from adults because of the presence of the growth plate. In children, the top part of the thighbone, which is shaped like a ball, fits into the hip socket. The ball is connected to the straight part of the thighbone by the growth plate, an area of tissue in children who are still developing.

In SCFE, the top or cap of the ball slips off the femoral head through the growth plate. Children with this condition require urgent surgery to reduce complications and improve outcomes.

Six percent of the population has scoliosis. Fortunately most cases are mild and only require observation, physical therapy and occasionally bracing. The pediatric orthopedic specialists at the Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital are specially trained and have experience in the non-surgical and surgical treatment of scoliosis. Only the most severe cases require surgery.

The multidisciplinary pediatric orthopedic specialists at the Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital provide state-of-the-art care for the special needs of children, adolescents and their families. We treat children with injuries or problems of their musculoskeletal systems and are specially trained to consider how these conditions affect growing bones.

Our team emphasizes family-centered care and understands the importance of returning children to their normal lives. We know that providing great care to kids with orthopedic problems means giving them support and working closely with their families.

Among the common pediatric orthopedic conditions treated at the Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital are:

• Sports-related injuries
• Bone deformities
• Hip problems
• Leg-length differences
• Fractures
• Bone and Joint Infections
• Scoliosis
• Cerebral palsy
• Spina bifida
• Clubfoot
• Benign Childhood Bone Tumors