The challenge with developing implants for children seems obvious—children grow. What works for a four-year-old may not work for a ten-year-old. There is also a gender difference, as girls typically develop ahead of boys. In addition, children have growth plates in their bones which, when disturbed, can cause a bone to stop growing, potentially resulting in a deformity.
OrthoPediatrics is focused on providing solutions that address these unique challenges. We have assembled some of the best talent from the medical device industry and formed a world-class Surgeon Advisory Board to help guide us. In addition, we have sought out the best scientific collections and data repositories that pertain to pediatric bones and bone growth. This wealth of information helps guide OrthoPediatrics engineers and surgeon advisors in designing anatomically appropriate implants, instrumentation and biologics for pediatric and small stature patients.
To learn more about specific conditions, speak with your Child’s Primary Care Physician or Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. Other information sources include:
How can I get more information about OrthoPediatrics products?
Visit our product pages to learn more about the offerings in Trauma, Deformity Correction, External Fixation, Scoliosis and Sports Medicine. You can also request additional literature from our team by completing the request form on the Contact Us page.
Where can I find more information about my child’s condition?
Learn more about orthopedic conditions by talking to your child’s primary care physician or pediatric orthopedic surgeon. You can also find great information at www.posna.org, www.orthokids.org or www.kidshealth.org.
Does my child need to see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon?
Consult with your child’s primary care physician to find the best solution for your child.
A child’s orthopedic problems are different than those of an adult. Because children are still growing, their body’s response to injuries, infections, and deformities may be quite different than that of a full-grown person. Many of the problems children have with their bones and joints don’t even occur in adults. Even for the same problem that an adult might have, the evaluation and treatment is usually quite different for a child. It is often more difficult to examine, talk to and figure out what is happening with children, compared with adults. This is especially true when the child is very young. Pediatric orthopedists are experts in treating children due to their specialized training. A pediatric orthopedists office is often set up specifically to deal with children and therefore is friendlier and less threatening to young patients. They also have a lot of experience taking care of anxious parents and grandparents, and know about the worry that goes along with having a child with an orthopedic problem.
What is the definition of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon?
Children are not just small adults. This is especially true when it comes to children’s bones and joints, and the problems they can have with their musculoskeletal system. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who takes care of children with musculoskeletal problems. That means any child with a bone, joint, or muscle problem or disease and certain nerve problems and diseases. These surgeons spend five years after medical school learning about orthopedics, then spend another year concentrating on the special problems and needs of children. A pediatric orthopedist is the best-trained and most experienced doctor to properly evaluate and treat bone, joint or muscle problems in a child who is still growing. If your child has something wrong with his or her arms, legs, hands, feet or spine, a pediatric orthopedist might be the most appropriate doctor to see.
Examples of things pediatric orthopedic surgeons address include:
Abnormalities in how children walk
