Pediatric Orthopedics

At Nemours, we provide comprehensive care for children who are born with bone, joint, muscular and nerve conditions, or who develop these conditions because of disease or injury.

We’ve Set The Standard For Orthopedic Care

Since 1940, we’ve been a distinguished leader in the field of orthopedics. Initially devoted exclusively to children’s orthopedics, today the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (AIDHC) is one of the country’s Best Children’s Hospitals,* recognized in our community, across the nation and around the world for our orthopedic specialty program. By combining dedicated clinical care, the latest research and training, our goal is restoring function and improving your child’s quality of life.

The Nemours Difference

• We practice a coordinated team approach, working closely with Medical Imaging, Physical and Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation to integrate your child’s care and give the best possible course of treatment.
• We are able to schedule most appointments quickly, without long wait times.
• We want the family to be an active participant in the decision-making process. We recognize the importance of the parents’ role in the care and healing process and believe in a strong doctor-parent partnership. You’ll have direct access to your child’s attending physician, giving you one source for information and care.
• Children with complex medical conditions often need to see many different specialists, whom you’ll have access to here on the hospital’s campus. We want your visit to be convenient so you can see orthopedic physicians and other specialists on a single day.
• We are able to support all treatment with a state-of-the-art Cast Room and Brace, Orthotic and Prosthetic shops here onsite the hospital.
• Nemours is constantly innovating new ways to diagnose and treat orthopedic conditions. For example, we were the first in the nation to offer a Gait Lab, using technologically advanced techniques to analyze detailed information about the timing of muscles, forces produced and the movement of various joints.

Our Areas Of Expertise

• Scoliosis and other spinal deformities
• Limb length discrepancies and limb deformity
• Management of complex fractures, including growth plate fractures
• Residuals of injuries or infections
• Congenital clubfoot, and other complex foot problems
• Skeletal dysplasia
• Cerebral palsy
• Gait analysis
• Arthrogryposis
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Bone tumors
• Sports medicine

*Parents Magazine 2009
+According to the History, Genealogy and Evolution of Children’s Orthopaedics in North America published by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America in 2006

 

What To Expect On Your First Visit

Your first trip to any of our orthopedic centers is usually a comprehensive diagnostic visit. Allow 1-2 hours for this visit, which may include:

• A thorough review of your child’s medical history, including a three-generation family history
• A review of previous medical records and X-rays
• A detailed physical examination, including many measurements
• Assessment of range of joint motions and the relative length of the limb segments. Depending upon this evaluation, further radiological, biochemical or molecular testing may be needed.

Often a specific diagnosis for your child can be accomplished in the initial evaluation, but sometimes this is not the case. Some conditions can take time to diagnose, and this type of evaluation may need to be repeated.

After Your Visit

• Once a specific diagnosis is made, we’ll tailor the treatment and management strategies to meet the needs of your child and your family.
• In addition to medical care and referrals, we provide emotional and psychosocial support and genetic counseling services.