A pediatric orthopaedist is the best-trained and most experienced doctor to properly evaluate and treat musculoskeletal (bone, joint, or muscle) problems in a child who is still growing. This includes newborn babies through teenagers.

Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons have the following education and training:
Graduated from an approved medical school (typically four years)
Graduated from an approved orthopaedic surgery residency program (typically five years)
Completed additional subspecialty training in pediatric orthopaedics (typically one to two years)

A child’s musculoskeletal problems are different from those of an adult. Because children are still growing, the body’s response to injuries, infections, and deformities may be quite different than what would be seen in a full-grown person. Sometimes, what is thought to be a problem in a child is just a variation of growth that will resolve with time (e.g. intoeing in a toddler). Some of the bone and joint problems in children are due to growth which do not even occur in adults. In addition, the evaluation and treatment of a child is usually quite different than for an adult-even for the same problem. Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons diagnose, treat, and manage children’s musculoskeletal problems, such as:
Limb and spine deformities noted at birth or later in life (clubfoot, DDH, scoliosis, limb length differences)
Gait abnormalities (limping)
Broken Bones
Bone or joint infections and tumors

Medical care of a child is different from that of an adult, and no one knows this as well as a Paediatrician (Child specialist).  Similarly, the Orthopaedic care of a child is different from that of an adult. Nothing can be truer than the common saying “A child is not just a little adult”, when dealing with childhood bone and joint problems. The anatomic, physiological and metabolic features of a growing skeletal system are different from those of a mature skeletal system, and by extension the problems which affect children’s bones and joints are different as well.  Indeed, some pathologies are unique to the growing child and adolescent.  A general Orthopaedic surgeon may not have adequate expertise or experience in the optimal management of some of these unique pathologies. This makes Paediatric Orthopaedic practice (Children’s Orthopaedics) a highly specialised and niche service, which provides surgical and non-surgical treatment for various musculoskeletal problems affecting children.

While it is true that the healing and remodelling capacity of children following injuries is greater than adults, there are certain key distinctions. For example, growth plate injuries (physeal injuries) are unique to growing children, and if undetected or inappropriately treated, these may heal with permanent sequelae such as deformity or length discrepancy.  Similarly, developmental problems such as hip dysplasia need to be screened for in the “at risk’ babies, so that they can be identified and treated early with simple measures rather than complex interventions at a later date which will have an adverse impact on the eventual outcome. Pathologies unique to the growing child such as Perthes’ disease, Developmental coxa vara, Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis, Idiopathic scoliosis need a clear understanding of the natural history of the condition, in order to identify any potential adverse clinical or radiological changes which may need early and proactive intervention.

Modern anaesthetic techniques and practices are extremely safe, and have greatly reduced the incidence of adverse events.  Your child will be evaluated by an anaesthetist prior to the surgical procedure, and this evaluation may involve blood investigations if necessary.  Make sure you inform the anaesthetist about any background medical problems that your child may have including ongoing medications. Surgery for a child can be extremely stressful for the parent.  Children are influenced by the reaction of their parents, and it helps a child if the parents present a calm and positive demeanor. Make sure you discuss all your doubts and anxieties with your surgeon and anaesthetist, however trivial they may appear to be.