| The word “Pediatric” itself
comes from the Greek words “paid” or
“pais” meaning “child”,
and “iatric” from “iatros”
meaning “physician” or “healer.”
Its first English language usage occurred around
1880.
Orthopaedics, also spelled Orthopedics, is a
field of medicine that applies to all ages, despite
its Greek origin referring to children. It comes
from “orhos” meaning “straight
or correct,” and “paedia” meaning
the “rearing of children”. Orthopaedics
was first used in the English language around
1840.
Pediatric Orthopaedics is a sub-specialty in
the practice of medicine that treats children
from infancy to adolescence to young adulthood
for musculoskeletal disorders. It includes anything
that disrupts the normal musculoskeletal growth
and development of a child: congenital disorders
such as hip dysplasia, spina bifida, and clubfoot;
developmental disorders such as scoliosis, Blount’s
disease, and cerebral palsy; disease-related disorders
as in osteoporosis, bone or soft tissue tumors,
and orthopaedic infections; or acute injuries
such as a broken bones (fractures), dislocations
of joints, and other orthopaedic trauma.
Our pediatric orthopaedic surgeons are experts
in treating disorders of growth and development
of the skeleton, muscles, and joints in children.
They have had specific additional training (a
fellowship) of at least one year in this area.
They have an excellent knowledge and understanding
of normal growth and development and thus are
able differentiate between abnormal patterns of
growth and those with normal variation.
At Pediatric Orthopaedics Associates, we also
understand that managing the child is different
than managing an adult. Not only are children
different physically, but there are also differences
in their social and emotional development. We
appreciate that the parents of a child, and the
nurturing relationship between a child and their
family, are important to the overall well-being
of the child. We try to incorporate the many unique
aspects of a child’s life, including school,
sports, religion, and individual interests into
the overall treatment scheme. Education of the
family and child about the diagnosis is imperative
to a successful outcome. Brochures are available
on a variety of topics.
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