Paediatric (Ped) Orthopaedics

Paediatric orthopaedics is a subspecialty of orthopaedics focusing on diagnosing, treating, and managing musculoskeletal problems in children. Our team of highly skilled and experienced paediatric orthopaedic specialists is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to children with orthopaedic conditions from infancy through adolescence.

We understand that every child is unique and requires specialised care to meet their individual needs. That's why our paediatric orthopaedic specialists work closely with parents and caregivers to develop personalised treatment plans tailored to each child's unique needs.

At Max Healthcare, we offer a wide range of paediatric orthopaedic services, including diagnosis and treatment of:

• Back Pain: Back pain may seem quite familiar in children; however, if the patient faces fever, weight loss, bowel problems, and pain and numbness in his legs, it could hint at a significant injury in the back muscle.
• Bowed Legs and Knocked Knees: Bowed legs are a condition where the feet of the child touch, but the knees do not. In the case of knocked legs, the child's knees can touch, but his ankles do not. These conditions are primarily found in toddlers.
• Cerebral Palsy: This disability causes impaired muscle coordination. Damages usually cause it to the brain, which may have occurred before or after birth.
• Club Foot: Club foot is a condition where the foot is twisted and turned inward. This is a genetic disorder and causes difficulties in walking and standing.
• Flexible Flat Feet: It is a very common condition in children. When a child suffers from flexibly flat feet, the arch on his foot disappears when he's walking or standing but appears when he is sitting or standing on his toes. It does not cause the child many problems besides pain while walking long distances. Doctors can correct it with the help of physio.
• Juvenile Arthritis: It is chronic arthritis appearing in children below the age of 16. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, and fever.
• Down Syndrome: It is a genetic disorder affecting different parts of the body. Patients who have Down syndrome usually have low muscle tone and loose ligaments.
• Kyphosis: Kyphosis is a deformity where the back appears curved when viewed from the side. It is usually treated through exercise and physiotherapy.
• Out-toeing: In this condition, the child's toes point out words instead of straight when the child runs or walks.
• In-toeing: Here, the child's toes point inward instead of straight when they walk or run.

Types of Treatments Provided By Paediatric Orthopaedics

Paediatric orthopaedics perform several treatments on the musculoskeletal system of children. This system consists of the child's ligaments, bones, muscles, joints, and tendons. Some of the most common paediatric orthopaedic treatments are as follows:

• Ankle-Foot Orthosis: Ankle-foot orthosis provides stability to the patient's ankle and foot. It supports the child in walking and corrects the walking of those children who walk on their toes.
• Alvero Bone Grafts: Bone grafts are usually performed when the child is born with a cleft lip and palate. Children may require extra soft tissue or bones to help them heal better. In such cases, the doctor may perform an autograft or allograft.
• Bone Stimulator: The fractures children endure sometimes fail to heal correctly. In such cases, a bone simulator that uses ultrasound and magnets may assist in healing.
• External Fixators: These devices are used to assist in the healing of a broken or deformed bone.
• Growing Rod: This procedure is performed to correct crooked spines in children. It corrects the spine without compromising its scope for growth. Usually, the growing rod is lengthened every year to keep up with the child's growth.
• Ilizarov: This device is used to correct certain limb deformities in children.
• Guided Growth: This treatment is used to treat conditions like knocked knees and bowed legs. It is also helpful to treat crooked ankles.
• Internal Fixation: Here, the patient's fracture is fixed with the help of an internal fixation instrument.
• TLSO: Thoracolumbosacral orthosis supports the spine in conditions like scoliosis.
• Prosthetics: Sometimes, doctors could insert an artificial limb or part of the limb in place of the damaged limb.
• Spinal Fusion: It is a surgical procedure performed to correct a crooked spine permanently.
• Casts: A cast is a bandage that keeps the body part from moving. It is a vital remedy for broken bones.
• Percutaneous Thinning: This procedure is performed to fix broken bones. Here, tiny wires are drilled through the bone to treat fractures.

We have access to the latest technology and treatment options to help diagnose, manage and treat conditions in infants, children and adolescents. Some of the latest technologies used in paediatric orthopaedics include:

• 3D Printing: This technology allows doctors to create patient-specific models for pre-operative planning and for creating custom orthotics and prosthetics.
• Navigation Systems: These systems use computer-guided technology to help surgeons accurately and safely navigate during surgical procedures.
• Robotic-assisted Surgery: Robotic technology can assist surgeons during complex surgical procedures, allowing for greater precision and accuracy.
• Advanced Imaging: Technologies like MRI, CT scan and ultrasound provide detailed images of the musculoskeletal system, helping doctors to make accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
• Non-invasive Monitoring Systems: These systems allow doctors to monitor the progress of treatment and healing without the need for invasive procedures.
• Advanced Prosthetics: Advances in prosthetic technology have led to highly advanced prosthetic limbs that can provide improved function and mobility for children with limb deficiencies.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery: Minimally invasive surgical techniques use smaller incisions and specialised instruments to reduce pain, scarring and recovery time.

If you are concerned about your child's musculoskeletal health, we encourage you to book an appointment with one of our experienced paediatric orthopaedic specialists at Max Healthcare. Our team of specialists is dedicated to providing the best possible care to children and adolescents, helping them to achieve optimal musculoskeletal health.

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