Pediatric orthopedics is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of orthopedic nature affecting children up to 18 years of age.
What does a pediatric orthopedic do?
A pediatric orthopedic can diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems affecting a body that is still developing. The doctor can also call on specialist in other areas of medicine such as orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitation therapists, anesthetists, and pain therapists with expertise in children.
What diseases are treated by a pediatric orthopedist?
A pediatric orthopedic deals with congenital and acquired diseases, along with traumatology of the musculoskeletal system.
In particular, issues dealt with include scoliosis, knee varus, pigeon toe, rotational deformities, flat feet, club foot, hip dislocation, osteochondritis, hip epiphysiolysis, congenital malformations, bone cysts, aneurysmal cyst, histiocytosis, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, and hyperkyphosis. Others include bone dysplasias, asymmetry of lower limbs, hypoplasias, arthrogryposis, deformity of the lower limbs due to peripheral neuropathy, Blount's disease, axial deviation of the limbs, osteogenesis imperfecta, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal dysraphism, pseudarthrosis, and trauma.
What are the procedures used by a pediatric orthopedist?
Among the procedures most commonly used by a pediatric orthopedist are neonatal ultrasounds of the hip, use of casts and corsets, surgical treatments for the spine, traction techniques, ponseti's protocol for the treatment of congenital club foot, diathermy, injections of botulinum toxin, and physiotherapy.
When should a patient visit a pediatric orthopedic?
A hip ultrasonography should be performed within 3 months of the child's birth. Typically this exam is an opportunity to complete all other tests that allow early detection of any other diseases or disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system.
It is also advised to visit the specialist if the position of the child's feet, knees, or spine are not properly aligned.
