What is pediatric orthopedics?
Children’s orthopedic needs often differ from those of adults. Pediatric orthopedics involves the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal abnormalities in children and teenagers.
Medical problems might involve injuries in knee, ankle, elbow, or shoulder joints, spine, growth plates, bones, muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
What are the symptoms of an orthopedic injury?
When your child exhibits the following signs or symptoms, they may have an orthopedic injury requiring treatment from a specialist:
- Long-lasting pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Popping or crunching noises in joints
- Stiffness
- Limping or other waking abnormalities
- Decreased range of motion
- Limited mobility
- Muscle or joint weakness
If your child experiences musculoskeletal pain that’s severe or long-lasting, a pediatric orthopedic specialist can help.
What are common orthopedic injuries?
Common orthopedic injuries your child or teen might encounter from playing sports, overuse, or a medical condition, might include:
- Scoliosis or back pain
- Abnormal gait
- Greenstick fractures or other broken bones
- Bone tumors or infections
- Sprains and strains
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ALC) tears
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears
- Limb deformities
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Patellar malalignment
- Sever’s disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease and Sever’s disease affect growth plates in children’s bones and can cause pain and limited mobility.
How are pediatric orthopedic injuries diagnosed?
To determine the cause of your child’s pain or injury, the OasisMD team reviews their medical history and symptoms.
The team completes a physical examination and may use blood, advanced imaging (such as X-rays or MRIs), or other specialized tests to diagnose your child’s condition and its severity.
Which treatment might my child require?
Your child’s personalized pediatric orthopedics treatment plan is based on the type and severity of their injury or disease. Your orthopedic specialist might recommend:
Conservative treatments
Your doctor might suggest conservative treatments first, such as rest, ice, elevation, compression, wearing supportive shoe inserts or a brace, or taking over the counter pain relievers.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy helps your child recover from an orthopedic injury. Your therapist creates personalized strength and stretching programs for children and teens based on their unique needs.
Medications
Medications help relieve pain and inflammation associated with an injury while it heals.
Surgery
In the case of a severe musculoskeletal injury, your pediatric orthopedic specialist might recommend surgery to repair a bone, muscle, tendon, ligament, or joint and fully restore your child’s mobility.
Don’t let your child live in pain when simple solutions are available. Call OasisMD for an appointment today or use the online booking tool.
