Pediatric Orthopedic Dallas & Frisco, TX
Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist
DFW Pediatric Treatment
At SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy, we don’t just work with adults – we work with children, too! As such, we understand that injuries and conditions affecting children are much different than those affecting adults, as children are still in the beginning stages of growth and development. Thus, they require a unique orthopedic approach. Our Dallas orthopedic specialists for kids here in Texas are sensitive to every child’s emotional wellbeing while working towards a positive solution for bettering their overall physical health. If you seek a Dallas pediatric orthopedist for your child’s injuries or conditions, look no further than the best orthopedic surgeon in Dallas.
What is a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon?
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat a variety of musculoskeletal problems that arise in children, including problems with the bones, joints, muscles, and back. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon is more than just a general orthopedic surgeon taking on a child’s case. Pediatric specialists must go through a specific type of training in order to specialize in this area. They must be familiar with the evaluation, operative treatment, and unique challenges of a child’s growing body.
Why Does My Child Need to See a Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist?
There are many reasons why your child might need to see a pediatric orthopedic specialist. Perhaps one of the most important reasons pertains to the fact that the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders are inherently different in children than they are in adults for similar injuries or disorders. This is because what may work perfectly well in treating adults may have an adverse effect on children, potentially impacting their future growth and development.
When treating a child’s injuries, you want to make sure you aren’t presenting potential problems later on. An orthopedic specialist for kids must possess a broad and in-depth knowledge of the stages of development of a child as well as what works for them and what doesn’t. In addition to treating injuries, pediatric orthopedists are also attuned to recognizing any abnormalities that might occur in children and identifying ways to treat them as the child continues to develop. With this specialized skill set, the specialist is able to assess your child’s injuries or disorder and determine an appropriate and safe treatment plan.
Common Orthopedic Injuries in Children
There are a number of orthopedic injuries that adults and children alike may experience. However, some of the injuries and disorders that appear more prevalent in children include scoliosis & spine injuries, hip disorders, hand conditions, and foot disorders such as clubfoot. Here at SPORT, we treat all of these conditions in addition to providing pediatric sports medicine services and limb lengthening procedures.
Below, we’ll break down each of these areas further:
Scoliosis & Spine Injuries
Scoliosis is a relatively common and progressive condition that causes the spinal cord to curve in an unnatural way, usually mimicking a “C” or “S” shape. Early indications of scoliosis may include uneven shoulders, waistline discrepancies, and/or shoulder blade prominence. Scoliosis is unpreventable and, for the most part, its cause is generally unknown.
At SPORT, our pediatric orthopedic specialists analyze the spinal maturity of the child. They do so by closely observing the degree, extent, and location of the unnatural curve as well as its potential for progression. Using the information gathered, we will identify the best course of treatment to pursue. Depending on the child’s circumstances and the severity of their condition, treatment may include anything from bracing to casting to physical therapy or even surgery.
Hip Disorders
Hip disorders may present themselves immediately upon birth or can develop over time as a child grows. Disorders may affect either one or both hips and, depending on the child, can range from simply bothersome to completely debilitating. Signs to look out for include pain in the hip, thigh, knee, or groin with movement or activity, limping while walking, and reduced range of motion of the hip.
Some of the more common hip disorders and injuries we treat here include but are not limited to the following:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Bone Dysplasias
- Perthes Disease
- Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
- Femoroacetabular Impingement
- Sports-Related Injuries
- Avulsion Injuries of Hip Muscles
- Transient Synovitis
- Hip Subluxation and Dislocation
We also treat hip disorders caused by conditions such as sickle cell disease, avascular necrosis, cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and more.
Hand Conditions
At SPORT Orthopedics + Rehabilitation, we offer specialized pediatric care for children with hand and upper extremity conditions as well as those who may need reconstruction in these areas following a traumatic injury. We work to ensure that each child is able to obtain maximum function in both their hands and arms so that they can continue their journey towards an independent and happy lifestyle.
Clubfoot & Other Foot Disorders
We specialize in treating pediatric foot disorders. One of the most common disorders we see and work to correct in children is what is called clubfoot. Clubfoot is a type of congenital disorder that turns the foot dramatically inward and pointed downward. Nearly half of all patients affected with clubfoot disorder experience it in both feet.
As you can imagine, this can be both painful and extremely detrimental when it comes to your child’s ability to walk and get around. At our pediatric orthopedic Dallas center, we offer non-surgical treatment methods to correct clubfoot. If nonsurgical methods do not prove beneficial, we also provide unparalleled surgical care.
Limb Lengthening
Limb length discrepancies may be apparent at birth or they may develop over the course of childhood. Often, the cause of a difference in limb length has to do with one of the following:
- Congenital Anomalies
- Traumatic Injuries
- Neurological Disorders
- Severe Bone Infections
Whatever the cause, limb lengthening is a procedure that works to correct these uneven limbs by lengthening bones or replacing segments of missing bones in both the upper and lower extremities.
There are two different approaches we may take in the case that your child requires a limb lengthening procedure. One way to go about this would be to attach an external frame to the underdeveloped limb that promotes the gradual lengthening of the bone. Another option would be inserting a rod into the actual bone that serves a similar purpose but works from the inside-out rather than the outside-in. The surgical approach we take, if any, depends on each child’s specific circumstances and will be discussed thoroughly upon further consultation.
Sports Medicine for Kids
In addition to treating pediatric disorders, we also treat athletic injuries in our young patients. Our pediatric orthopedists have the skill and experience it takes to help your child get back into the game in no time. We provide non-surgical treatment methods and rehabilitation as well as surgical and arthroscopic care to treat any variety of sports-related and musculoskeletal injuries.
We understand that young athletes are highly competitive and will do whatever it takes to get back into the center of the action as soon as possible. That’s why we provide the most efficient and effective care to ensure your child can make a safe return to their favorite sports.
