Medical City Children’s Hospital orthopedics specialists offer a full range of diagnosis and treatment options in each of the following areas.

Sports Medicine
Children and adolescents who participate in baseball, football, cheerleading, gymnastics and a host of other sports may suffer spine and back pain, stress fractures, knee pain and repetitive use injuries. Medical City Children’s Hospital orthopedics specialists are experts in rehabilitation and physical therapy programs that help younger athletes recover from sports-related injuries.

When surgery is needed, we use techniques that limit the risk of injury to growing bones. We design individualized programs to help each child achieve his or her maximum activity level. We also teach proper techniques to help prevent recurring and additional problems.

Skeletal Immaturity Conditions
Skeletal immaturity is a developmental phase in children and adolescents in which bone growth occurs. Near the end of the bones is an area of cartilage tissue called the growth plate. This tissue determines the future length and shape of the mature bone. As a child stops growing, the growth plates close and are replaced by solid bone.

As the weakest area of the growing skeleton, the growth plates are susceptible to stress (repetitive injury) and trauma (what we typically call a “real fracture” due to a single event). They can also separate, which can lead to premature closure of the growth plate. Both require immediate attention because the long-term consequences may include limbs that are crooked or limbs of unequal length.

Tumors can form in and around bones. Soft tissue and benign tumors, including fluid-filled cavities called bone cysts, while not common, do happen fairly frequently. Often they are not painful and do not require surgery. In some cases, however, a larger benign bone tumor can weaken the bone, making it more likely the bone will break. In such cases, a simple, outpatient surgery is recommended.

In the event of a malignant bone tumor, early detection is critical because early treatment greatly improves chances for a healthy recovery.

Congenital Defects
Medical City Children’s Hospital provides a complete continuum of care—including physical therapy and surgery—for the following abnormalities: 

• Hip dysplasia
• Skeletal dysplasia
• Clubfoot
• Metatarsus adductus
• Limb defects
• Spina bifida
• Hand deformities

Neuromuscular Disorders

Our pediatric specialists offer a full spectrum of supportive therapies and care for conditions that affect both nerves and muscles. Examples range from cerebral palsy, myelodysplasia, muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy to myotonic dystrophy. Our goal is to help each child achieve a higher quality of life.

Infectious Conditions
Bones and joints can become infected through the bloodstream or injury. These infections are known as osteomyelitis and must be treated by prolonged antibiotic therapy and possible operation. Another bacterial infection is called septic arthritis, in which a bacterial agent invades the joint through a skin lesion or adjacent tissue. It is treated with intravenous antibiotics, analgesia, aspiration of the joint and possible operation.