About Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
Key Highlights
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Specialized care for growing bones and joints, considering a child's unique anatomy and development.Aims to correct deformities, restore function, and alleviate pain to support an active childhood.Utilizes advanced, often minimally invasive techniques to promote faster healing and reduce scarring.Multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, physiotherapists, and child life specialists.Focus on long-term outcomes to ensure proper skeletal growth into adulthood.
Who is this surgery for?
- Congenital conditions like clubfoot (talipes equinovarus), developmental dysplasia of the hip, or limb length discrepancies.
- Traumatic injuries including complex fractures, dislocations, or sports-related injuries not healing properly with casting.
- Neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida causing bone/joint deformities or instability.
- Bone and joint infections (osteomyelitis, septic arthritis) requiring surgical drainage or debridement.
- Benign bone tumors (e.g., osteochondroma) or cysts affecting bone strength or growth.
- Scoliosis or other spinal deformities requiring bracing or surgical correction.
- Growth plate injuries or disorders affecting future bone development.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including detailed medical history, physical exam, and imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scan).
- Discussion between the surgeon, child (age-appropriate), and parents about the procedure, goals, and expectations.
- Pre-anesthetic check-up to assess fitness for surgery and discuss anesthesia options.
- Instructions on fasting (typically no food or drink for 6-8 hours before surgery).
- Arranging for post-operative support at home and possible school leave.
- Stopping certain medications (like blood thinners) as advised by the doctor.
- Psychological preparation for the child to reduce anxiety, often with help from a child life specialist.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection at the incision site, or blood clots.
- Nerve or blood vessel damage near the surgical site, potentially leading to numbness, weakness, or circulation issues.
- Stiffness, prolonged pain, or complex regional pain syndrome.
- Delayed healing, non-union (bone not healing), or malunion (bone healing in incorrect position).
- Growth disturbance if the surgery involves a child's growth plates (physeal injury).
- Need for additional surgeries due to hardware issues (like plate/screw irritation) or recurrence of the problem.
- Scarring, though pediatric surgeons use techniques to minimize its appearance.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for pain management, monitoring, and beginning of mobility (duration varies by procedure).
- Use of casts, splints, braces, or traction to protect and immobilize the surgical area.
- Strict adherence to wound care instructions to prevent infection.
- Gradual, guided return to activity through a structured physiotherapy program to restore strength and range of motion.
- Pain management with prescribed medications, transitioning to over-the-counter options as healing progresses.
- Regular follow-up visits for imaging (X-rays) to monitor bone healing and growth.
- Nutritional support with a diet rich in protein, calcium, and Vitamin D to promote bone healing.
- Emotional support for the child during the recovery period, which can be challenging.
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Typical hospital stay: 2-7 days
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Expected recovery time: 6 weeks to 6+ months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering pediatric orthopaedic surgery in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform pediatric orthopaedic surgery. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for pediatric orthopaedic surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
Sara Singh is a bright and...
Sara Singh is a bright and artistic 8-year-old who loves to draw and dance. She was born with a condition called congenital talipes equinovarus, commonly known as clubfoot, affecting her right foot. Despite successful casting as an infant, her foot began to relapse as she grew, causing her to walk on the outer edge of her foot. This led to pain, difficulty keeping up with friends, and frequent tripping. Her pediatric orthopedist, Dr. Evans, recommended a procedure called a lateral column lengthening with tendon transfer to realign her foot and restore a normal gait. Sara was nervous about the surgery and the big cast, but the child life specialist used dolls and drawings to explain everything. After the surgery, she spent 6 weeks in a cast and then transitioned to a brace. After months of dedicated physical therapy, Sara can now walk and run without pain. She recently joined a beginner's ballet class. Her emotional journey shifted from frustration and self-consciousness about her limp to a proud confidence, thrilled to be able to dance like her friends.
Pediatric Orthopedics for Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
Explore experienced pediatric orthopedics who regularly perform pediatric orthopaedic surgery and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata