Orthopaedic injuries and conditions can occur at any age, and ensuring you receive expert care in diagnosing and treating the condition effectively are essential to a successful recovery. If your child requires orthopedic care, there are some things to bear in mind to ensure they receive the compassionate and expert care they deserve.
If your child has a musculoskeletal (bone, joint, or muscle) problem, a pediatric orthopedist is a best-trained and most experienced doctor to properly evaluate and treat them. A child’s musculoskeletal problem can be very different from that of an adult, because they are still growing and developing, and they may therefore require different treatment options. Pediatric orthopedists work with children of all ages, from newborns to young adults, and have the training and expertise to understand the unique problems that can affect children while they are growing.
Pediatric orthopedists diagnose, treat, and manage a range of musculoskeletal problems in children, which can include:
- Injuries such as bone fractures, jammed fingers, torn ligaments, tendonitis, or bursitis
- Deformities in the limbs or spine, such as clubfoot, scoliosis, hip dysplasia, or limb differences, which may be present at birth or later in life
- Congenital disorders, such as Marfan syndrome or spina bifida
- Gait abnormalities
- Infection in a bone, joint, or muscle
Visiting a Pediatric Orthopedist – What To Expect
If your child has a musculoskeletal concern, a pediatric orthopedist can diagnose their condition and offer the most appropriate treatment options to allow you to make an informed decision about their care.
Pediatric orthopedists are trained to examine and treat children in a way that helps them to feel relaxed and safe. They also understand that families may feel concerned and anxious when their child has a musculoskeletal problem. Pediatric orthopedists have the experience and skill to communicate effectively with children and their family members.
In order to find the most appropriate treatment for your child’s condition, your pediatric orthopedist will carry out a thorough evaluation of their personal and family health histories, their symptoms, the duration of the problem, and a physical evaluation to assess the problem. Depending on the condition, further testing may be necessary to devise the most appropriate treatment plan. This may include lab testing, X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, or a CT scan.
Treatment planning for pediatric patients takes into account a variety of factors, such as the child’s overall health and medical needs and the family’s situation. If surgery is recommended, pediatric orthopedists have specialized training in the most advanced techniques in the field.
Questions To Ask Your Pediatric Orthopedist
To ensure your child receives the best care possible, you may want to consider these questions:
1. What risks are involved in your proposed treatment?
Once you have found out what treatment options are available for your child’s condition, it is important to fully understand the risks involved to help you make the right decision about their care. There are always risks involved, particularly with surgery and anesthesia, but your pediatric orthopedist is there to reassure you and will help you understand the associated risks, benefits, and how you can help your child prepare for their procedure if you decide to go ahead with it.
2. What rehabilitation will my child need?
If your child has an injury or condition, or if they require surgery, it is important to find out what rehabilitation they will need to ensure they make a successful recovery. Physical therapy can help speed up the healing process, reduce pain, and help restore lost range of motion, and is often recommended for a variety of musculoskeletal problems, or following surgery.
It is important to understand what role you can play in your child’s rehabilitation program to support them in their recovery and to prevent problems, such as re-injury. Some conditions and injuries may require significant lifestyle changes, so ensuring you and your child understand what to expect can help manage expectations and make the process easier.
3. Will the injury, condition, or treatment impact my child’s future growth or mobility in the future?
Because children are still growing and developing, their body’s response to an injury, deformity, or infection may be quite different from that of an adult. Your orthopedist will take the time to explain if treatment – or leaving the problem untreated – could affect your child in the future and how this could be managed appropriately.
Pediatric Orthopedist in Pembroke Pines and Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
If you are looking for compassionate, comprehensive pediatric orthopaedic care, visit Total Orthopaedic Care. Our outstanding fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedists are experts in pediatric orthopedic medicine and provide a wide range of services for every life stage, from infancy to the late teen years.
We have the advanced training to treat a broad range of orthopedic injuries and conditions and routinely care for pediatric patients with traumatic injuries,orthopedic-related congenital defects, and developmental and neuromuscular conditions.
To learn more about the orthopaedic services we offer, or to book a consultation with one of our pediatric orthopedists, call us at (954) 735-3535, or you can use our convenient online appointment request form. We offer same-day appointments for acute and new injuries. Visit us at one of our two convenient locations in Lauderdale Lakes or Pembroke Pines, Florida.
