Pediatric Orthopedics: Scope, Conditions, and Specialist Role

Pediatric orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions in children (0–18 years) with specialized training in growing bones, growth plates, and developmental anatomy.

Core Domains

1. Congenital/Developmental: Clubfoot, DDH, limb deficiencies, spinal dysraphism.
2. Growth & Deformity: Scoliosis, kyphosis, limb length discrepancy, angular deformities (genu varum/valgum).
3. Sports Medicine: Overuse injuries (apophysitis, stress fractures), ACL, meniscus, instability.
4. Trauma: Pediatric fractures (physeal/Salter-Harris), non-accidental trauma.
5. Infections: Osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, pyomyositis.
6. Neuromuscular: Cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy – orthopedic sequelae.
7. Metabolic Bone: Rickets, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis.
8. Foot/Ankle: Flatfoot, clubfoot sequelae, toe walking, tarsal coalition.
9. Hip: DDH, Legg-Calvé-Perthes, SCFE.
10. Spine: Scoliosis, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis.
11. Oncology: Bone/soft tissue tumors (osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma).

Multidisciplinary Care

Collaborates with pediatricians, physiatrists, PT/OT, genetics, neurosurgery, oncology, rheumatology.

Goal: Restore function, prevent deformity, optimize lifelong musculoskeletal health.