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:
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: