Who treats orthopedic conditions in children?
Your child's doctor may treat some orthopedic problems. But sometimes doctors who specialize in bone, muscle, and joint problems may be needed.
More than one health care provider may care for your child at the same time. A team of doctors can help your child feel better and manage their symptoms. This is important because many symptoms may last a long time and get worse over time. Below are providers who may help with your child’s care.
Pediatrician or primary care doctor
This doctor may treat and diagnose your child's disease. Or they may send you to a doctor who can give your child more specialized care.
Orthopedic surgeon
Orthopedic surgeons are doctors who specialize in bone, muscle, and joint surgery. They know how the musculoskeletal system works. They know how to diagnose and treat a condition or injury. And they can provide rehab care and help prevent more damage to bones, muscles, and joints.
This surgeon may have done up to 14 years of formal education. After they get licensed to practice medicine, they may go on to get board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Some surgeons choose to do general orthopedics. Others focus on certain areas of the body, like the foot, hand, shoulder, spine, hip, or knee. Or they may work in one area of care, like sports or trauma medicine. Some may choose to work in more than one area. And they may work with other doctors, such as neurosurgeons or rheumatologists.
Rheumatologist
This doctor specializes in treating arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. These diseases may affect joints, muscles, bones, skin, and other tissues. Most of these doctors have a background in internal medicine or pediatrics. They are trained to find rheumatic diseases when they are at an early stage. These include:
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Arthritis.
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Autoimmune diseases.
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Musculoskeletal problems or pain.
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Osteoporosis.
These doctors go through 4 years of medical school. Then they do 3 years of training in internal medicine or pediatrics. They also get 2 or 3 years of training in rheumatology. They may be board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Pediatrics.
Physical therapist (PT)
Physical therapy focuses on the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and cardiopulmonary systems of the body as they relate to motion and function. PTs treat children with health problems due to an injury, a disease, or the overuse of muscles or tendons.
PTs have a degree in physical therapy. Many have a master's or doctorate degree. To practice, they must be licensed by their state. They must pass a national certification exam.
PTs may work in:
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Hospitals.
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Rehab centers.
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Home health agencies.
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Schools.
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Sports clinics.
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Community health centers.
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Private practices.
For orthopedic conditions, PTs provide care that includes:
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Helping your child move better from one place to another.
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Balance and walking retraining.
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Manual therapy of soft tissue. This is done to loosen tight muscles, improve blood flow, and decrease swelling.
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Teaching body mechanics.
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Wheelchair use and safety.
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Exercises to redevelop normal, controlled movement patterns.
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Exercise programs.
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Family education and training.
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Help with pain relief and management.
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Teaching how to walk safely.
Occupational therapist (OT)
Occupational therapy uses "occupation," or purposeful activity, to help children with physical, developmental, or emotional problems. OT helps children lead independent, productive, and fulfilling lives.
An OT can:
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Evaluate a child who has developmental, neuromuscular problems. They plan activities that will help the child grow mentally, socially, and physically.
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Help a child learn how to do daily tasks.
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Help a child who is in a mental health center learn to cope with daily activities.
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Advise changes in layout and design of the home or school. This will give a child who has an injury or disability more access and mobility.
OTs work in:
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Hospitals.
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Rehab centers.
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Schools.
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Home care agencies.
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Private practices.
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Government agencies.
Physiatrist
This doctor specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). This is also known as physiatry. They help restore lost abilities in a person who has been disabled due to a disease, disorder, or injury. This doctor provides care aimed at the whole person. They work to meet the person's physical, psychological, medical, vocational, and social needs.
Physiatrists are board-certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Podiatrist
This doctor specializes in foot care. They do foot surgeries. And they can prescribe medicine.
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
These providers may specialize in orthopedic problems. If so, they may help your child's doctor give care. They can help you understand your child's care plan. And they can answer your questions.
Depending on your child's condition, other providers may care for your child, too. For example, a neurologist or neurosurgeon may help treat problems that affect the spinal cord.
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