Pediatric orthopaedists take care of muscoskeletal problems in young patients from newborns to teenagers. In addition to taking care of injuries to bones, joints or muscles, specialists at Kernan Hospital also care for many congenital problems and crippling conditions. The residual problems from old or chronic injuries can be treated, as well as acute injuries. Babies born with clubfeet, dislocated hips, or other deformities of the limbs or spine are also diagnosed and treated. Experts are available to treat neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida, as well as benign tumors of bones.
Treatment is started if the problem can be improved through special shoes, braces or surgery.
In addition, specialists here care for many congenital spinal problems due to birth defects in spinal bone or spinal cord formation which often leads to neurolgic problems or spine deformities such as scoliosis at a very young age. Proper care may entail mere observation, bracing, or even surgery. There are many recent advancements in bracing, such as night-time use only. Newer surgical refinements have significantly reduced hospital stays, made post-operative braces unnecessary, reduced the need for blood transfusions and made spinal operations much safer. This information is not intended to be a substitute for individual medical advice in diagnosing or treating a health problem.