Throughout our lives, we have heard that staying active and healthy during childhood is very important, as it can set the foundation for how our bodies grow and develop as we age throughout life. Our anatomy provides form, stability, movement, support, and binds our organs and connective tissues together.
It is true that children have different needs than adults, in regard to development and growth. As children grow, their musculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, grow as well. Since a child’s skeleton is still growing, orthopedic or growth and development related issues may arise, and therefore may require professional and prompt attention from a pediatric orthopedic specialist.
Growing bodies and bones sometimes just don’t work well together. From injuries such as sprains and fractures, to even more serious skeletal issues, such as complex spine problems, congenital problems, bone and joint infections, and neuromuscular disorders, you will want your child to be treated by quality pediatric orthopedic experts, who are specially trained in the care of children, in a facility designed thoughtfully for children.
At Watauga Orthopaedics, our team brings together some of the most experienced board-certified, fellowship-trained, pediatric orthopedic specialists in the country who are specially trained to deal with children from birth to adulthood, and the complexities of their growing bodies. We will find an accurate diagnosis, formulate a treatment plan, provide a comfortable environment, and the best possible experience for your child.
Children often don’t know how to express how or what they are feeling, especially being in a place such as a doctor’s office, where stress and nerves can be at an all-time high. Therefore, as a pediatric orthopedist, communication with the child and making them feel comfortable is a very important part of treatment.
The most important part of communicating with your child’s orthopedist is to be specific. Be sure to tell the doctor what type of pain your child is experiencing, what part of the body the pain is coming from, and how long the symptoms have been occurring.
Also, tell the doctor about your expectations. If there is any family history, let the physician know about all of your child’s medical history, as it can help them in making an accurate diagnosis. If your child has undergone any diagnostic image testing (MRI, CT-Scans, X-rays) or blood work, bring in the report, as well as copies of the tests. Unless you request this information after or before your appointment, most of the time it will not be automatically sent to the referred pediatric orthopedist, before your child’s appointment.
To learn more about how a pediatric orthopedist can help your child, call Watauga Othopaedics at (423) 282-9011 to request an appointment.
