FAQs
Who is a Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon? How are they different from General Orthopaedic surgeon?
There’s a difference between general orthopedics and pediatric orthopedics. A general Orthopaedic Surgery treats adult patients.
A Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in orthopaedic treatment of paediatric and adolescent population (0-18yrs). They undergo special training in Paediatric Orthopaedic surgery for 3-4 years after completing their masters in Orthopaedic surgery. They deal with all kind of congenital, developmental issues in kids apart from routine orthopaedic related problems.
Why should I visit a Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon?
Children are NOT simply little adults.
Even with the similar injuries adult and children’s bodies often show different response. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons are specifically trained to evaluate and treat children and adolescents.
It is important to understand children’s bones are substantially different from adults. Infants have skeleton made of cartilage that later matures into calcified bone during the early years of development. In fact, during the first few weeks of life, ultrasounds are frequently used to examine children’s bones instead of x-rays. Children have softer structure than adults thus causing their bones to fracture or break in different ways than adult bones do. The biggest difference is the presence of growth plates in children’s bones. This greatly changes the ways doctors treat and care for injuries as well as bone and joint disorders in children.
Growth variations – Bow legs / Knock knees / In toeing / Flat feet
While all children go through a certain consistency in the pattern of growth and development, there are subtle variations in each child. Making a distinction between what is abnormal and what is just a growth variation needs knowledge, clinical skills and experience.
A substantial proportion of office Pediatric Orthopedic practice involves Shifting developmental pathologies from such growth variations and treating them appropriately.
My child has been advised surgery – is it safe?
Modern anesthetic techniques and practices are extremely safe, and have greatly reduced the incidence of adverse events. Your child will be evaluated by an anesthetist prior to the surgical procedure, and this evaluation may involve blood investigations if necessary. Make sure you inform the anesthetist about any background medical problems that your child may have including ongoing medications.
Surgery for a child can be extremely stressful for the parent. Children are influenced by the reaction of their parents, and it helps a child if the parents present a calm and positive demeanor.
Make sure you discuss all your doubts and anxieties with your surgeon and anesthetist, however trivial they may appear to be.
“Children have wonderful healing capacity – to heal on their own” – why the need for specialised medical care?
While it is true that the healing and remodelling capacity of children following injuries is greater than that of adults, there are certain key distinctions.
For example, growth plate injuries (physeal injuries) are unique to growing children, and if undetected or inappropriately treated, these may heal with permanent sequelae such as deformity or length discrepancy (all fractures in children and adolescent should be screened for growth plate injuries).
Similarly, developmental problems such as hip dysplasia needs to be screened in the “at risk” babies, so that they can be identified and treated early with simple measures rather than complex interventions at a later date which will have an adverse impact on the eventual outcome.
Pathologies unique to the growing child such as Perthes’ disease, Developmental coxa vara, Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis, Idiopathic scoliosis needs a clear understanding of the natural history of the condition, in order to identify any potential adverse clinical or radiological changes which may need early and proactive intervention.
How often should my child see the Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon?
Any child with any deformity, walking difficulty, fracture, and fall from height, congenital or developmental issue should always visit local Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon. Also children with neuromuscular issues and bone tumor need optimal care and follow up.
What is the best way to schedule an appointment?
You can schedule an appointment by calling our office during regular business hours. And you can book appointment from our website also.
Is your office accepting new patients?
Yes, we always welcome new patients. Contact our office for additional information or request an appointment.
Can we cancel a scheduled appointment?
We understand that sometimes circumstances prevent you from keeping your scheduled appointment. If that happens, please notify our office in advance, as soon as possible. Our scheduling coordinators will do their best to promptly reschedule your appointment.
Can I get same day appointment?
We always see sick children and emergency cases the same day as soon as possible. Physical appointment need to be scheduled in advance so that we can give your child enough time with the clinician/surgeon.
What are common condition treated by Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon?
Most common condition treated by Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon are mentioned below (to name few conditions)
Osteogenesis imperfecta, Club foot, DDH, Perthes disease, Bone and soft tissue infection, Deformity, Metabolic bone condition, Cerebral palsy, Other neurological condition, Congenital and Genetic anomalies, Gait abnormality, Bone and soft tissue tumor.
Visit Us
Dr Vinod Dubey – Paediatric Ortho and Ortho-Onco surgeon
A wing, 4th Floor, Lancelot CHSL, S.V. Road, opp. Kalyan jewellers, Kora kendra, Borivali West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400092
+91 8369338859
+91 6358854077
Private Clinic
Medical Centre, Race Course Towers, Race Course, Gotri Rd, near Pasha Bhai park, Vadodara, Gujarat 39007.
+91 8369338859
+91 6358854077
Wockhardt Hospitals
The Umrao IMSR, near Railway Station, Mira Road, Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra 401107.
+91 8369338859
+91 6358854077
Bhailal Amin general hospital
Bhailal Amin marg road, Gorwa
Vadodara 390003.
+91 8369338859
+91 6358854077