Paediatric orthopaedics is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal problems in children, from newborns to adolescents. Orthopaedic problems in children can be caused by various factors, including birth defects, trauma, genetic conditions, infections, and developmental disorders.
Some common paediatric orthopaedic conditions include:
Congenital disorders: such as clubfoot, hip dysplasia, scoliosis, and congenital limb deficiencies.
Developmental disorders: such as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and Blount’s disease.
Trauma: fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries.
Infections: osteomyelitis (bone infection) and septic arthritis (joint infection).
Paediatric orthopaedic specialists are highly trained in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. Treatment may involve non-surgical interventions, such as physical therapy and bracing, or surgical interventions, such as corrective surgeries or joint replacements.
Paediatric orthopaedic care also involves a multidisciplinary approach that may include collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as paediatricians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and geneticists, to ensure the best possible outcomes for children with orthopaedic conditions.