What You Should Know about a Pediatric Orthopedic Evaluation
If your child is injured in an accident or during sports, they might need a pediatric orthopedic evaluation.
As an experienced orthopedic surgeon, Carlos A. Uquillas, MD, offers specialized orthopedic services that focus on the needs of kids and their growing musculoskeletal system. Here, our team provides some insight into what’s involved in your child’s first orthopedic evaluation, so you know what to expect.
Reasons for a pediatric orthopedic evaluation
Orthopedics is a field of medicine that focuses on injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system including the bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles in their shoulder, knee, or hip.
As a pediatric orthopedic specialist, Dr. Uquillas can diagnose and treat a number of orthopedic injuries that are common in kids including:
- Fractures
- Meniscus tears
- Juvenile arthritis
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Joint dislocations and deformities
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
Our team focuses on the unique needs of kids who are still growing. Dr. Uquillas creates treatment plans that address the injury or diseases without disrupting your child’s growth and development.
We recommend scheduling an evaluation soon after your child experiences pain or other symptoms of an orthopedic injury or disease. Early intervention ensures your child gets the medical attention they need to prevent additional complications.
What to expect during your visit
Every visit with Dr. Uquillas starts out with a comprehensive review of your child’s medical history and their existing health. He discusses what activities your child was involved in at the time of injury or at the start of pain.
In many cases, children will need diagnostic tests that show our team the root cause of pain and other symptoms. These tests might include X-rays or other imaging technologies that provide a closer look at your child’s bones and soft tissues.
Once your child’s diagnosis is confirmed, Dr. Uquillas spends time discussing the available treatment options. He offers a wide range of treatments that focus on complete healing of your child’s injury and the proper management of orthopedic conditions like juvenile arthritis.
If your child needs orthopedic surgery to treat a joint deformity, repair a fracture, or address an orthopedic birth defect, you’ll learn what options are available for surgery including arthroscopic orthopedic surgery. Our team also discusses post-surgical rehabilitation services like physical therapy that can help your child recover faster and more efficiently.
Other resources you get during a pediatric orthopedic evaluation
Our team not only enjoys helping children recover from orthopedic injuries and degenerative diseases, but we are also dedicated to helping your child avoid additional injuries in the future, especially during sports.
In addition to comprehensive post-surgical care, Dr. Uquillas provides resources that strengthen your child’s bones and muscles, so they can reduce their risk for injuries. There are also resources available to help your child improve their performance in their chosen sport, such as conditioning and training exercises designed for kids.
No matter what the reason for your child’s first pediatric orthopedic evaluation, you can rely on the compassion and experience of Dr. Uquillas and our team to help your child live a pain-free, physically active life.
If your child has persistent pain or needs help managing an orthopedic condition, schedule a consultation online or by calling the office of Carlos A. Uquillas, MD, nearest you today.