Orthotics

Orthotics are external devices that provide support and increase movement for kids who are born with or develop problems in their muscles, bones and/or joints. 

Orthotic devices can help correct or prevent problems, improve movement (like walking), reduce pain, and support the spine and upper or lower extremities (the arms, legs, etc.).

At Nemours Children’s, our certified pediatric orthotics specialists fit and make braces and other supports for kids. We work with the appropriate doctor or surgeon to figure out which orthotic device would work best and make sure it fits, feels and functions just right for your child.

The term “ortho” means to correct or straighten. When you think of pediatric orthotics, you may picture the simple foot orthotics devices worn in shoes to improve mobility and decrease pain. Shoe inserts are orthotics, but many more solutions are available for a broad range of conditions.

Our certified orthotists provide fittings and adjustments by to make sure your child feels comfortable and stable. We offer a full range of pediatric orthotics, both prefabricated (pre-made) and custom made, depending on your child’s exact needs and condition. The types of orthotics we offer include:

• Ankle foot orthoses
• Braces like those for the back, elbows, shoulders, legs  
• Hand and wrist splints
• Helmets for babies with problems like a misshapen skull

Because children who need orthotics often require coordinated care from other medical areas, you’ll have access to our entire team of Nemours experts and specialists as needed.

We help kids with a full spectrum of conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.

• Arthrogryposis
• Broken bones — fractures
• Cerebral palsy
• Chest wall malformations
• Clubfoot
• Craniofacial anomalies — cleft lip, cleft palate and defects of the face, head, jaw or mouth
• Craniosynostosis — misshapen head caused by the skull bones fusing abnormally
• Hand/upper extremity differences
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
• Limb deformities
• Muscular dystrophy
• Peripheral neuropathies — damage to nerves in the hands, arms, legs and feet
• Positional plagiocephaly — “flat head syndrome" in babies
• Scoliosis and spinal deformities
• Spina bifida
• Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
• Sports injuries
• Trauma

At Nemours, we specialize in giving compassionate, kid-friendly orthotics care — from choosing or creating and fitting the ideal orthotic now and refitting over time, to helping your child function and thrive as they grow. And in some cases, we can make a custom brace for your child on the same day it’s prescribed by our doctors.

Depending upon the location you visit, our comprehensive programs and services may include:

• Pediatric orthopedics care in Delaware ranked among the best in the country year after year by U.S. News & World Report.
• Team that’s part of renowned pediatric programs that help kids with scoliosis, skeletal dysplasia, limb deformities, neuromuscular disorders and other conditions thrive.
• Expertise from specialists involved in orthopedic innovations like the Wilmington Brace (which set a standard in scoliosis care) and the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (WREX, a 3D-printed technology that helps kids with muscle weakness use their arms).
• State-of-the-art gait and motion analysis lab, which uses a computer to capture a 3-D model of your child’s walk to help us figure out which type of pediatric orthotic will best support your child’s pattern of movement.
• Partnership with our assistive technology and wheelchair clinic to help your child function, communicate and learn.
• Specialized rehabilitation therapies just for kids, including certified hand therapy.
• Pediatric outpatient therapy services program that’s one of the only in the region accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)