Let us worry about treatment approaches so that you can spend more time with your child.
If your child has any symptoms of an orthopedic condition or injury, or if you are concerned about your child’s development, contact us today to schedule an appointment with a top pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Orange County.
- Children may be born with orthopedic issues
- While some conditions are similar to those in adults, the treatment approach is often different
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What Sets a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Apart?
No matter your medical condition, it is important to see the right type of doctor to diagnose and treat it. This is especially true for children as their bodies are growing and changing rapidly. Most of us want a doctor with an excellent bedside manner and one who specializes in the type of condition we are seeking care for. Children can also benefit from seeing a doctor who has in-depth knowledge about their specific problem and knows how to best interact with children of various ages.
What is a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon?
If your child has an injury or a problem with their bones, joints, or muscles, you will want to consult with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. These types of doctors have the best training and a wide range of experience in the appropriate evaluation and treatment of these areas of the body as well as the conditions and injuries that can occur in these locations. Their scope of practice is narrowed to just this specific type of medicine and they can treat newborns up through around age 18 years, and sometimes older.
What Type of Training do Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons Have?
Due to the unique nature of this type of medical practice, pediatric orthopedic surgeons do require additional surgical, medical, and pediatric schooling and training. In general, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon has graduated from a four-year medical school program. They have then gone on to complete an approved orthopedic surgery residency program that usually lasts around five years. After this, they must complete training in the subspecialty of pediatric spinal deformities and pediatric orthopedics which usually takes around one year.
Why Would You Take Your Child to a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon?
Children are still growing, which makes musculoskeletal problems unique from those seen in an adult. The body of a growing child can react differently than an adult to various infections, injuries, deformities, and other conditions. Some orthopedic conditions that are problematic in adults are normal findings in children, such as intoeing for toddlers. The same problem can mean different diagnosis, treatments, and conditions depending on whether the patient is a child or an adult. This is why taking your child to see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon is so important for their health and well-being.
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons can treat conditions that are congenital, meaning children have had them as they were developing as a fetus or a baby. One example of this would be spina bifida. They can also treat acquired health conditions or those that children developed after birth such as a tumor or an infection in the bone. Some conditions treated by such a doctor include:
- Limping or other gait abnormalities
- Broken bones
- Infections or tumors in the bones or joints
- Limb deformities such as clubfoot, scoliosis, or differences in limb lengths
- Congenital deformities
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Bow legs
- Brachial plexus palsy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Growing pains
- Clicking joints
- Hip dysplasia
- Hand, wrist and arm conditions
- Spina bifida
- Sports injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Tibial torsion
- Trauma and various injuries
- Tip toe walking
- Knock knees and other knee conditions
Benefits of Seeing a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Taking your child to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Orange County can have many benefits for both you as their parent and for them as the patient. Many physicians and parents alike forget that children are not mini-adults. Not only are their bodies different, but they can behave and experience medical exams and procedures differently as well. Young children may not always be able to articulate if they are experiencing mobility issues if something hurts, where it hurts or be able to describe their pain. They may also not be able to voice their own questions or feelings, and they may not be cooperative with a medical examination.
This is where a pediatric orthopedic surgeon will be extremely beneficial. Just like all doctors who specialize in pediatrics, they have been trained in ways to help children feel relaxed and at ease during examinations and procedures. They can use whatever information a child gives them regarding their pain or condition along with their specialized training to help in the formation of an accurate diagnosis. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons also have training in dealing with anxious children and with anxious and inquisitive family members. They can help answer questions and help to calm patients and their families.
Taking your child to the doctor for even minor illnesses or conditions can be somewhat unnerving for both you and your child. However, if you take your child to a specialized doctor that has specific training in order to work with children and specific knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are child-specific you can let go of some of that anxiety. Your child will also feel more relaxed in a child-friendly environment that is not sterile and cold, and will be at ease with a center that has welcoming and friendly staff.
To learn more about the services that we provide or to ask about your child’s symptoms to determine if they need to be seen, contact our office today. We can schedule an appointment for your child to see a top pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Orange County. Regardless of your child’s injury or developmental condition, we can help you find peace of mind and quality medical care where minimally invasive treatments are always sought first. We look forward to providing the best care for your child.
