Pediatric orthopedics, a major orthopedic subspecialty, focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the full spectrum of musculoskeletal problems affecting children of all ages—newborns, infants, toddlers, schoolchildren, and adolescents.
At North Country Orthopaedic Group, our highly qualified orthopedic doctors are committed to providing unparalleled care for pediatric patients in Watertown and Lowville, New York. We leverage our expertise, extensive experience, and child-friendly, holistic approach to provide your child with age-appropriate and effective solutions—helping them feel, move, grow, and live well.
Below is an outline of a few of the common children’s orthopedic problems we treat at our facility.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis, a disorder characterized by abnormal curvature of the spine, can cause pain, back problems, and breathing difficulty in children.
For mild cases (for curvatures less than 20 degrees), monitoring the child’s spine for changes or progression is usually enough. For moderate cases, where the curvature is more than 20 degrees but less than 45, physical therapy and bracing are typically recommended. If the child’s curvature is over 45 degrees, corrective surgery is often recommended to prevent the condition from further progressing.
Flatfeet
Flatfeet (pes planus) is a condition in which the longitudinal arch of the foot is fallen or collapsed.
The condition often resolves during the middle childhood years (6 to 8 years old). However, in roughly two percent of young children, flatfeet can cause substantial arch and heel pain and persist into adulthood.
Flatfeet is usually treated with physical therapy, custom orthotics, and supportive shoes. For children with an excess weight problem, our orthopedic doctors typically recommend dietary and lifestyle recommendations to help mitigate the discomforts.
We may recommend reconstruction surgery if conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief.
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Development dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition in which the hip socket doesn’t fully support the ball of the upper thighbone, causing the hip to become partially or completely dislocated.
While DDH is most often a congenital problem, it can also develop during a child’s first year of life, usually due to improper or tight swaddling.
Bracing with a Pavlik harness (soft splint), therapy, surgery, or, sometimes, all three interventions are needed to ensure the child’s proper growth and development and their ability to ambulate normally over time.
Pigeon Toes
Pigeon toes, also known as in-toeing, is a condition that causes the toes to turn inward. It is most common in infants and young children.
Children with mild or moderate in-toeing can outgrow the problem without any medical intervention, albeit it can take a few years for the bones to settle into proper alignment. Babies (at least six months old) with severe in-toeing, however, may require a series of casts on their foot or feet for a certain period of time. The purpose of the casts is to correct the alignment problem before the child starts walking.
Additionally, our orthopedic doctor may recommend massage techniques and stretches to help get the baby’s bones growing in the proper direction.
If in-toeing does not resolve by the time a child turns 9 or 10 years old, surgery will likely be recommended to fix the alignment problem.
Pediatric Orthopedics in Watertown, New York
For first-rate pediatric orthopedic care in Watertown and Lowville, New York, visit us at North Country Orthopaedic Group. Contact our staff at (315) 782-1650 to arrange a consultation with one of our orthopedic doctors, or simply fill out this convenient form to request an appointment.
