The subspecialty of Pediatric Orthopaedics focuses on the musculoskeletal problems common to children and adolescents. The old adage that “children are not small adults” could not be more appropriate to emphasize the basic differences between the care of orthopaedic problems frequently seen in the adult population versus the care of orthopaedic problems prevalent in children and adolescents.
The most unique characteristic of this age group is the mere fact that they are actively growing. Therefore, when dealing with their musculoskeletal problems, physicians must consider the effect of growth not only on the treatment of each disease, but also on the anticipated outcomes. Growth, of course, is the very crux of why children are not merely small adults.
The subspecialty of Pediatric Orthopaedics was founded to emphasize and recognize this basic difference between the child, adolescent, and adult. In doing so, many common and rare afflictions of the musculoskeletal system have been more carefully studied and evaluated in an ongoing effort to provide optimal care for each individual child or adolescent. As a result of the more intense focus that these conditions have received, treatment protocols have been upgraded resulting in improved prognoses for many abnormalities.
The Pediatric Orthopaedic surgeons at Georgetown University Medical Center specialize in a wide range of diseases and abnormalities in children and adolescents, including::
- Fractures and dislocations
- Congenital abnormalities such as clubfoot and congenital hip dislocation
- Neuromuscular disease such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida
- Common problems of the child such as intoeing, flatfeet, toe walking, and growing pains
- Sports injuries
- Bone tumors
- Bone infections such as osteomyelitis and septic arthritis
The goal of such a specialized focus is to improve the care of the child afflicted with a musculoskeletal condition. The Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery at Georgetown University Hospital, in conjunction with the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, are committed to providing quality, state-of-the-art care for all children and adolescents suffering from musculoskeletal disease.
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