Pediatric orthopedic surgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal problems in children. Patients of all ages can be treated any orthopedic surgeon. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon, on the other hand, has been educated and trained to recognize the many differences between musculoskeletal conditions that affect adults and those that affect children. This is crucial because a child’s musculoskeletal system isn’t just a scaled-down version of an adult’s. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons focus on treatments that are safe and effective for growing children.
Deformities of the spine or extremities are among the conditions that a pediatric orthopedic surgeon diagnoses and treats. Some of these conditions are visible from the moment a child is born, while others may not become apparent until the child reaches adulthood. A person with a severely curved spine or a clubfoot, for example, might be treated this type of surgeon. Patients with abnormalities in their walking patterns are also treated pediatric orthopedic surgeons. This surgeon might, for example, treat someone who walks with a limp.
Infections and tumors are also diagnosed and treated a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Infections and tumors are frequently thought to be problems that only affect other parts of the body, such as the throat or the brain. Both of these conditions, however, can have an impact on a child’s bones and joints. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon provides specialized treatment when abnormal growths or infections develop in the joints and bones. They also look after children who have broken bones.
A pediatric orthopedic surgeon typically uses child-friendly examination techniques and provides care in a non-threatening manner in addition to diagnosing and treating patients. These doctors strive to make children as comfortable as possible during examinations and treatments, attempting to elicit cooperation from their patients. They’re usually used to providing medical information to upset parents in a sensitive manner. Toys, books, and other child-friendly distractions are frequently provided these surgeons in their examination and waiting rooms.
The amount of time a pediatric orthopedic surgeon spends training to become a surgeon explains why he is usually so good at providing musculoskeletal care for children. A person in this field typically spends four years in college and four years in medical school. After medical school, he usually spends another five years in an orthopedic residency program, which is essentially on-the-job training. He then spends his final year in a pediatric orthopedics training program.