pediatric orthopedics

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pediatric orthopedics

When your child is facing bone, joint or muscle issues, you want care that’s built just for them. At Dayton Children’s Hospital, our pediatric orthopedic specialists provide kid-focused care that helps children heal, grow and return to the activities they love. Whether it’s a sports injury, scoliosis or a complex musculoskeletal condition, we offer advanced orthopedic care in a space designed just for kids and teens. 

Teen patients are constantly maturing intellectually, emotionally and socially, as well as physically. Our providers have specialized training that equips them to effectively meet the health needs of adolescent patients better than any other program in the area. 

Our orthopedic surgeons provide comprehensive diagnostic, non-surgical and surgical techniques to ensure the best care for your child or teen. We strive to offer the least invasive treatment plan and avoid surgery whenever possible. During each appointment, they take as much time as necessary to explain the diagnosis and treatment options, answer questions and discuss next steps.

what is orthopedics?

Orthopedics is the field of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of conditions that affect the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. In pediatric orthopedics, specialists care for children whose growing bodies require a different approach than adults.

Our team at Dayton Children’s treats everything from everyday injuries to rare orthopedic conditions. We know kids are not just small adults. Their bones and bodies develop differently, which is why our orthopedic care is tailored to meet the unique needs of children and teens.

female orthopedic surgeon holding the arm of a young girl during a pediatric appointment
Teenage girl holding out wrist to Dr. Angela Via at pediatric orthopedic appointment

why choose pediatric orthopedic care at Dayton Children’s?

Our orthopedic team offers:

  • Board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeons and specialists
  • Advanced imaging and diagnostics designed for pediatric care
  • Innovative, minimally invasive procedures, like ApiFix
  • On-site physical therapy and rehabilitation services
  • Support for sports-related injuries, including same-day fracture care
  • Collaborative care with other pediatric specialties when needed

Our U.S. News & World Report-ranked team combines nationally recognized expertise with a family-centered approach that helps kids feel comfortable and supported throughout their care. Our goal is to make the healing process as smooth and stress-free as possible for both kids and their families.

when to see a pediatric orthopedic doctor

You may want to schedule a visit with our orthopedic team if your child:

  • Has persistent joint or bone pain
  • Suffers a broken bone, sprain, or dislocation
  • Has trouble walking or is limping
  • Complaints of back pain or showing signs of scoliosis
  • Is recovering from a sports injury
  • Has a congenital or developmental musculoskeletal condition
orthopedic doctor pointing to an xray on a screen

take the next step to pediatric orthopedic care

the imaging difference

We offer sophisticated imaging technology to help diagnose pediatric orthopedic injuries and conditions. All of our equipment offers low-dose imaging, protecting our patients from the dangers of radiation exposure. These technologies include:

  • Digital capture X-ray, including ultra-low dose EOS
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — equipped with video capabilities so that patients can watch a movie during their test!
  • Computed tomography (CT)
  • Ultrasound
orthopedic specialist holding the foot of a teen boy pediatric patient on patient table

All of our clinics offer X-ray onsite, and ultrasound, MRI and CT are available at a location near you. Our imaging equipment is designed for children and teens, with an emphasis on comfort and safety. Our radiology team adjusts the amount of radiation each patient receives, taking the child’s weight and size into account. Delivering “kid-sized” doses is important because the growing tissues in children’s bodies are especially sensitive to radiation. Learn more about medical imaging / radiology at Dayton Children’s.

pediatric orthopedic trauma

Our physicians provide 24/7 coverage in Dayton Children’s emergency department and level 1 trauma center for patients with traumatic injuries who need orthopedic surgery. 

We are here to help. Schedule an appointment online or call 937-641-3010.

our pediatric orthopedic specialists

Our pediatric orthopedic team includes fellowship-trained surgeons, nurse practitioners and rehabilitation specialists who focus exclusively on children. With deep experience in caring for everything from broken bones to complex spinal disorders, our providers partner with your family to create treatment plans just right for your child.

common pediatric orthopedic conditions

Dayton Children’s treats a wide range of pediatric orthopedic conditions, including:

  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Amniotic band syndrome
  • Amputation/limb deficiency
  • Ankle injury
  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
  • Back pain
  • Bone and muscle (musculoskeletal) tumors and sarcomas
  • Bow legs (genu varum)
  • Brittle bone disease (Osteogenesis imperfecta)
  • Bursitis
  • Clubfoot
  • Congenital hip deformity
  • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
  • Disk herniation
  • Dislocations
  • Elbow injury
  • Femoroacetabular impingement
  • Fetal conditions
  • Fetal tumors
  • Fractures / broken bones
  • Golfer’s or baseball elbow (Medial epicondylitis)
  • Growth plate injuries
  • Hand injury
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Hip pain, dislocation and injury
  • Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)
  • Joint pain
  • Knee pain, dislocation and injuries
  • Knock knees (genu valgum)
  • Kyphosis
  • Labral tear
  • Ligament ruptures (ACL, MCL tears)
  • Limb length inequality
  • Low and high foot arch
  • Medial collateral ligament tear (MCL) tear
  • Meniscus tear
  • Muscle spasm
  • Muscular dysplasia
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Patellofemoral syndrome
  • Peroneal tendonitis
  • Perthes disease
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Poor posture
  • Post-traumatic deformity
  • Rib abnormalities
  • Rotator cuff tear
  • Scoliosis
  • Shin splints
  • Shoulder dislocation and injuries
  • Shoulder impingement syndrome
  • Skeletal dysplasia
  • SLAP tear
  • Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
  • Snapping hip
  • Spina bifida (myelomeningocele)
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Spondylolysis
  • Sports injuries
  • Sprains and strains
  • Stenosis
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Tendinitis
  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Twisted neck (infant torticollis)
  • Webbed fingers or toes (syndactyly)
  • Wrist injury

pediatric orthopedic programs and clinics

Dayton Children’s U.S. News & World Report-ranked orthopedics division that cares for infants, children and young adults with common and complex musculoskeletal injuries. The division is a destination for families seeking innovative, personalized approaches to their child’s care. The team offers a variety of programs and services to fit any musculoskeletal need.

Our orthopedic and sports medicine experts provide after-hours care at our south campus in Miamisburg.  For the cost of a specialty care visit, our providers treat:

  • Broken bones/fractures
  • Sports injuries
  • Foot or ankle injuries
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Knee injuries
  • Hand or wrist injuries
  • Strains and sprains

Schedule an orthopedic appointment or call 937-641-4000.
*No referral needed unless your insurance requires one. We do not treat concussions/head injuries, lacerations/stitches, breathing issues and severe fractures needing reduction and sedation. Hours are Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Most orthopedic surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that the patient goes home the same day. Some complex procedures, however, require a hospital stay. These can include surgeries to correct scoliosis or a traumatic injury. 

The Dayton Children’s sports medicine program is a great resource for kids who have experienced sports-related injuries. Our team of certified, sports medicine-trained specialists knows how these injuries affect young bodies and growth. They are committed to getting athletes back to the activities they enjoy as quickly and safely as possible.  Learn more about Dayton Children’s sports medicine.

Dayton Children’s knows that when it comes to young, female athletes, there’s a lot to consider. Training, performance, nutrition, mental health. And with the Center for the Female Athlete, we will provide a place for our young female athletes to be heard. To learn how to understand their bodies’ unique needs and focus on the power they have to position themselves for total wellness. 

With an exceptional female-led team of physicians, dietitians, behavioral health specialists and athletic trainers, female athletes can find the program they’ve been looking for that helps them not only be the best version of their athletic self, but more importantly, the best version of their whole self.

Learn about the center for the female athlete.

Our patients undergo therapy with physical therapists who are specially trained in pediatric rehabilitation. Sometimes, we recommend that patients see a physical therapist in another Dayton Children’s department who has expertise based on a child’s specific condition. This is often the case for very young patients and those with neurological diagnoses, such as cerebral palsy.

 

 

  • Evaluation of musculoskeletal problems/pain utilizing:
    • Electrical stimulation to assist with muscle re-education
    • Ultrasound for pain management
    • Iontophoresis for anti-inflammatory treatment
  • Biodex testing
  • Gait Lab analysis
  • Strength training with kettlebells
  • Return to play bridge program
  • ACL/meniscal repair rehabilitation
  • Shoulder rehabilitation
  • Casting/bracing/splinting
  • Hand therapy
  • Orthotic/prosthesis training
  • Pain management
  • Isometric/isotonic/pylometric strengthening
  • Home exercise programs
  • Scoliosis exercise programs/ Scolio-Pilates
  • Post-operative rehabilitation

Our spine program provides evaluation and treatment to children from birth to 21 with spinal deformities, trauma-related spinal conditions, benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors, genetic cervical spine conditions and other conditions that affect the spine.

The orthopedics division at Dayton Children’s is a destination for families seeking innovative, personalized approaches to their child’s care. This is especially true for spine and scoliosis patients, where Dayton Children’s is pioneering minimally invasive procedures, like ApiFix, which offer substantial benefits over traditional fusion surgery, including a smaller incision and shorter hospital stay. The team at Dayton Children’s has performed more ApiFix procedures than nearly anywhere in the United States.  For those patients with curves that are mild, the Dayton Children’s team offers modern bracing techniques to prevent progression and the need for surgery. 

Our team also cares for children who have orthopedic conditions related to cerebral palsy or myelomeningocele (spina bifida) or Down syndrome. When these patients come to the hospital for a check-up with their primary specialist at Dayton Children’s, one of our physicians can be available during that appointment to address any orthopedic concerns. These patients can also make a separate appointment at one of our orthopedic clinics.

All of our pediatric orthopedic fracture clinics offer complete casting services and on-site crutch training. We treat thousands of fractures a year.

Our congenital and pediatric hand care team treats hand, wrist and elbow trauma, fractures, tendon and nerve injuries and congenital hand conditions such as radial club hand, polydactyly (extra finger) and syndactyly (joined fingers). The team is composed of specialists in hand surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, pain management and occupational and hand therapy.

Children who are born with—or who develop—differences in the length of their limbs can benefit from a range of treatments that may be as simple as the use of adaptive footwear or as sophisticated as limb-lengthening surgical intervention that helps generate new bone in the affected limb. When limb lengthening surgery is indicated, orthopedic surgeons can safely and gradually lengthen the affected bone by up to 15 to 20 centimeters.

To initiate limb lengthening, the orthopedic surgeon typically performs an osteotomy, a procedure in which a small incision is made in the metaphysis, a section of the bone that has the greatest metabolic turnover, and therefore yields the fastest formation of new bone tissue. External fixators are placed with pins and wires along the affected bone to set the stage for the next part of the process, distraction osteogenesis. During surgery, great care is taken to protect both soft tissue and the blood supply to the bone.

However, new techniques using magnets result in a less invasive process for lengthening. Our surgeons now use an adjustable intramedullary nail incorporating remote control technology using magnets, which eliminates the need for an external fixation frame or external fixator for older patients. Therefore, we can reduce the rate of infections and complications that are commonly caused by external fixation frames.

The hip program at Dayton Children’s provides comprehensive care for children and young adults with hip deformities and injuries. Abnormalities in the hip joint can cause early and lifelong problems, often leading to early hip replacement. The goal of the hip program is to restore normal anatomy to the hip joint and prevent or significantly delay the need for hip replacement. We employ the latest diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical techniques to ensure the best care for your child.

Our specialties include:

  • Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
  • Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
  • Hip Dysplasia (DDH)
  • Leg-Calve-Perthes Disease
  • Avascular Necrosis
  • Coxa Vara
  • Snapping hip
  • Hip pain
  • Congenital hip deformity
  • Sports injuries

We offer high-risk pregnancy consultation services with a specialized nurse navigator to guide you through the process, from diagnosis to delivery. Our specialized team works closely with mothers and families, answering questions, offering support and counseling and providing advanced options for care and treatment. We’ll guide you through the journey so you can simply focus on the bond between you and your baby.

Learn more about fetal care at Dayton Children’s.

Bone cancers, like Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma, require a highly specialized, collaborative team for care. Our oncology and orthopedic specialists partner with regional experts to provide patients and families with the expert care they need close to home in the Dayton region. Learn more about ortho oncology at Dayton Children’s.

orthopedic news and blogs

Stay up-to-date with the latest insights in orthopedics. We’re always working to share helpful, real-world content for families navigating orthopedic care.

patient stories

Real families, real results. Whether it’s a soccer player getting back on the field after an ACL tear or a toddler taking their first steps after clubfoot treatment, our patients and families inspire us every day. These stories offer hope, guidance and reassurance that we are here for your child every step of the way.

Explore how Dayton Children’s orthopedic care has gone above and beyond for kids just like yours.

for your visit

to make an appointment within a few days of your call. 

If you are new to the orthopedics division, you can schedule an appointment online. This includes injuries first seen in the emergency department, urgent care or primary care office.

If your child had X-rays taken at a non-Dayton Children’s facility, please bring the scans with you to your child’s appointment. If your child had X-rays taken at a Dayton Children’s facility (including an urgent care location), you do not need to bring the scans with you.

Please bring your child’s insurance card to the appointment, as well.

Bring with you any braces your child may have, and please wear loose-fitting clothes. If visiting for a lower limb condition, please wear loose pants or shorts.

Our clinics accept most major insurance plans. If you have health insurance, we will gladly file a claim with your health insurance company. After the claim has been processed, we will send you a bill for whatever amount is not covered by your insurance company. You are responsible for paying that amount.

Co-payments are due at the time of service. If you do not have insurance, or your insurance policy does not include our practice, we ask that you pay your bill in full at the time of your child’s office visit. For your convenience, we accept all major credit cards, cash and checks.

To request a prescription or prescription refill, please call us at 937-641-3010. Follow the phone prompts to be connected between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. In an emergency situation, we will fulfill prescription requests after hours.

orthopedic hours and locations

Orthopedic care is available at multiple Dayton Children’s locations for your convenience.

here when you need us

Whether you’re looking for the right provider, ready to make an appointment, or need care right now—we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.

Dayton Children’s rehabilitation team