What is Pediatric Orthopedic surgeon

A pediatric orthopaedist is the best-trained and most experienced doctor to properly evaluate and treat musculoskeletal (bone, joint, or muscle) problems in a child who is still growing.

A child’s musculoskeletal problems are different from those of an adult. Because children are still growing, their body’s response to injuries, infections, and deformities may be quite different than what it would be seen in a full-grown person. Sometimes, what is thought to be a problem is just a variation of growth that will resolve with time. Many of the problems children have with their bones and joints do not even occur in adults. And, for the same problem that an adult might have, the evaluation and treatment is usually quite different for a child. Children with complex pediatric problems are best managed by a medical-surgical team approach.

Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons diagnose, treat, and manage children’s musculoskeletal problems, such as:

• Limb and spine deformities noted at birth, or later in life (clubfoot, scoliosis, limb length differences)
• Gait abnormalities (limping)
• Broken bones
• Bone or joint infections and tumors