The Pediatric Orthopedics Team

Pediatrician or Primary Care Physician
While your pediatrician or primary care physician may treat and/or diagnose your child's disease, he/she may refer you to a specialist for more specialized treatment of certain aspects of the disease.

Orthopedic Surgeon
The physician who specializes in orthopedic surgery is called an orthopedic surgeon, or sometimes, simply, an orthopedist. Orthopedists are educated in the workings of the musculoskeletal system, which includes (but is not limited to) diagnosing a condition or disorder, identifying and treating an injury, providing rehabilitation to an affected area or function, or establishing prevention protocol to inhibit further damage to a diseased area or component of the musculoskeletal system.

The orthopedist may have completed up to 14 years of formal education. After becoming licensed to practice medicine, the orthopedic surgeon may become board-certified by passing both oral and written examinations given by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Many orthopedic surgeons choose to practice general orthopedics, while others specialize in certain areas of the body (i.e., foot, hand, shoulder, spine, hip, or knee), or in a specialized area of orthopedic care (i.e., sports medicine, trauma medicine). Some orthopedists may specialize in several areas and may collaborate with other specialists, such as neurosurgeons or rheumatologists, in caring for patients.

Rheumatologist  
A rheumatologist is a physician who specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that may affect joints, muscles, bones, skin, and other tissues. Most rheumatologists have a background in internal medicine or pediatrics and have received additional training in the field of rheumatology. Rheumatologists are specially trained to identify many types of rheumatic diseases in their earliest stages, including arthritis, many types of autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and osteoporosis. In addition to four years of medical school and three years of specialized training in internal medicine or pediatrics, a rheumatologist has had an additional two or three years of specialized training in the field of rheumatology. A rheumatologist may also be board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Physical Therapist
Physical therapy is the health profession that focuses on the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and cardiopulmonary systems of the human body, as these systems relate to human motion and function.

Physical therapists, or PTs, are very important members of the healthcare team. They evaluate and provide treatment for children with health problems resulting from injury, disease, or overuse of muscles or tendons.

Physical therapists have an undergraduate degree in physical therapy, and many have a Master's degree. In order to practice, all graduates must be licensed by their state by passing a national certification examination.

There are more than 90,000 physical therapists practicing in the US today in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals.
• Rehabilitation centers.
• Home health agencies.
• Schools.
• Sports facilities.
• Community health centers.
• Private practice.

• Functional mobility.
• Balance and gait retraining.
• Soft-tissue mobilization.
• Body mechanics education.
• Casting and splinting.
• Wheelchair safety and management.
• Neuromuscular re-education.
• Exercise programming.
• Family education and training.
• Assistance with pain relief and management.
• Instruction in safe ambulation.

• Evaluating children with developmental, neuromuscular problems in order to plan treatment activities that will help them grow mentally, socially, and physically.
• Assisting children in learning how to carry out daily tasks.
• Conducting group or individual treatment to help children in a mental health center learn to cope with daily activities.
• Recommending changes in layout and design of the home or school to allow children with injuries or disabilities greater access and mobility.

• Hospitals.
• Rehabilitation centers.
• Schools.
• Home care agencies.
• Private practice.
• Government agencies.