A pediatric orthopedic surgeon can care for children with broken bones.
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons work to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems that develop in children. Any orthopedic surgeon can treat patients of various ages. However, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon has been educated and trained to understand the many differences between conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system of an adult and those that affect a child. This can be very important, as a child’s musculoskeletal system is not just a tiny version of an adult’s. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons focus on treatments that work well for developing children.
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems that children develop.
Among the conditions that a pediatric orthopedic surgeon diagnoses and treats are deformities involving a child’s spine or limbs. Some of these conditions are noticed when the child is born, but others may only manifest as the child grows older. This type of surgeon may treat a person with a severely curved spine or a club foot, for example. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons also treat patients with gait abnormalities. For example, this surgeon may treat someone who has a limp.
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons often have families in mind when designing a waiting room and provide toys to keep children busy.
A pediatric orthopedic surgeon also diagnoses and treats infections and tumors. People often think of infections and tumors as problems that only affect other parts of the body, like the throat or the brain. However, both conditions can affect a child’s bones and joints. When joints and bones develop abnormal growths or infections, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon offers specialized treatment. They also take care of children with broken bones.
A pediatric orthopedic surgeon can diagnose and treat infections and tumors.
In addition to diagnosing and treating patients, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon often pays special attention to using child-friendly examination techniques and providing care in a non-threatening manner. These doctors work to make children feel as comfortable as possible during exams and treatments, trying to encourage the cooperation of their patients. They are often experienced in providing tactful medical information to calm upset parents as well. Often these surgeons also design their exam and waiting rooms with families in mind, providing toys, books and other distractions for children.
The reason a pediatric orthopedic surgeon is often so adept at providing musculoskeletal care for children is the amount of time they spend training to become a surgeon. Typically, a person in this field completes four years of college and medical school. After medical school, he typically spends another five years in an orthopedic surgeon residency program; it is basically a practical training. He then spends a final year in a special training program for pediatric orthopedics.