Why Choose a Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon for Bone and Joint Problems in a Child?

A pediatric orthopedic doctor is a specialist who evaluates and treats musculoskeletal problems in a child. A child’s musculoskeletal system is different from an adult. When children grow, their musculoskeletal system also grows.

During their growth period, a child may face deformities and injuries in their bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons. These problems include bone and joints deformities to injuries like fractures and tears.

Children with bone deformities, growth injuries, fractures, ligament, and tendon tears need to be examined by a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon as he or she is qualified to treat such conditions.

What kinds of musculoskeletal issues does a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon treat?

A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon treats, diagnoses, and manages children’s musculoskeletal problems, including:

• Spine and limb and deformities noted at birth or later in life (scoliosis, clubfoot, limb length differences)
• Gait abnormalities (limping)
• Broken bones
• Joint or bone infections and tumours

A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon knows that some issues children face are variations of growth that can resolve with time.

What kind of training does a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon have?

Paediatric orthopaedic surgeon focuses his/her medical practice on children with issues in their musculoskeletal system. The special nature of medical and surgical care of children is adopted from unique training and experience through practice.

Paediatric orthopaedic surgeon is a doctor who has the following education and training:

• Graduate from a recognized medical school (usually four years)
• Graduate from a recognized orthopaedic surgery residency program (five years)
• Having an additional subspecialty training in paediatric orthopaedics and paediatric spinal deformity (usually one year)

Why choose a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon?

These are some of the reasons why parents should consider opting for a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon:

A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon only treats children and adolescents

A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon knows how to examine and treat children.  The surgeon is friendly and warm in approaching and interacting with their children patients. The children feel calm and relaxed; hence they cooperate better with the surgeon. They can communicate and relate well with regards to their medical condition.

During treatment a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon bonds well with the patients

The evaluation and diagnosis of the child’s medical condition is accurately made if the treating surgeon bonds well with the child patients. It is very necessary that the children cooperate well during treatment.

The clinics or the consulting room of a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon are decorated and furnished with children in focus. They have in place a comfortable child-friendly environment with toys and friendly tools.

A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon understands growing bones

Growing bodies and bones sometimes do not work well together. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon understands growing bones and can handle injuries such as sprains and fractures and serious skeletal issues. They can solve complex spine problems, congenital problems, bone and joint infections, and neuromuscular disorders in a child.

Furthermore, only a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon can understand how a current injury or a treatment can affect the growth process of a child.

A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon can provide education on bone health

It is not just about treating injuries and deformities. The paediatric orthopaedic surgeon also educates parents on methods to help keep their child’s bones healthy.

For instance, they know healthy hips begin at birth. So, they help new parents learn proper swaddling methods to decrease their child’s risk of requiring hip surgery later in life. They are also aware of the nutrition a growing child’s bones require. Therefore, they can provide a proper diet plan to the parents and help in the healthy bone growth of the child.

A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon provides holistic childcare

Many orthopaedic conditions children deal with effect other parts of their body as well. A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon coordinates with other paediatric doctors. This allows him/her to provide holistic care to the growing child.

Parents must choose a pediatric orthopedic surgeon as they are qualified, trained and experienced to deal with all growth problems and injuries during the growing phase of their children.