Pediatric Spine Care
At Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health, we understand the vital role your child’s spine plays in their growth and overall well-being. Our Pediatric Spine Care providers are dedicated to diagnosing and treating a wide range of spine conditions in children. From scoliosis to other spinal concerns, our expert team crafts personalized treatment plans tailored to each child’s unique needs. We aim to support your child’s spinal health, empowering them to lead an active and healthy life.
Comprehensive Spine Care
Pediatric spine care treats spinal problems in children. Abnormal curves in the spine can cause pressure on the vertebrae and back pain. If left untreated, these conditions can result in significant pain and discomfort. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for children with spinal conditions.
Our multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, and other specialists collaborates to provide comprehensive care for various pediatric spine conditions. We can treat all spine issues, including congenital deformities, scoliosis, injuries, and disc disorders. Our team also treats the unique challenges of growing spines.
Conditions We Treat
Our spine specialists can diagnose and treat many pediatric spine conditions, including:
- Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Care: This commonly involves treating scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves sideways, which affects many children during their growth spurts.
- Congenital Spine Care: Treats spinal conditions present at birth, like congenital scoliosis and spina bifida.
- Trauma and Injury Care: Addresses spinal injuries resulting from falls, accidents, or sports activities, common among active children.
- Neuromuscular Spine Care: Treats spinal deformities associated with neuromuscular conditions like cerebral palsy.
- Infectious and Inflammatory Spine Care: Manages spinal infections, such as discitis, and inflammatory conditions that can impact children; though less common than the above conditions, they still need specialized care.
We carefully review each patient’s medical history, exam, and scans. Then, we create a custom treatment plan to fix the condition and ensure the best long-term results.
Signs Your Child May Need Pediatric Spine Care
It’s crucial to spot spine problems in children. Early action leads to better treatment. Be aware of these symptoms that may indicate the need for specialized care:
- Back Pain: Ongoing or recurring pain in the back, which can vary in intensity and location.
- Abnormal Posture: Changes in posture, such as uneven shoulders or hips, or a noticeable curve in the spine.
- Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty bending, twisting, or moving the back as freely as usual.
- Visible Spinal Deformities: Noticeable abnormalities in the spine’s shape, such as a humped or curved back.
- Neurological Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs, as well as pain that spreads to the legs. These symptoms could point to nerve or spinal issues.
If your child shows any of these signs, seeking medical advice promptly is essential. Early detection and treatment can make a significant difference.
Diagnosing Pediatric Spine Issues
Diagnosing pediatric spine issues requires a thorough evaluation by your physician. This will pinpoint the condition and guide treatment. The process starts with a detailed medical history and exam. This checks symptoms, posture, and range of motion. Imaging techniques, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans, are used to visualize the spine and identify abnormalities.
Additional tests, like bone scans or blood tests, may be needed to explore specific conditions or rule out other issues.
Treatment Options for Pediatric Spine Issues
Treating pediatric spine issues requires a range of approaches tailored to the specific condition and its severity. Primary treatment options include:
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Physical Therapy: Exercises and stretches designed to improve strength, flexibility, and posture, helping to ease pain and support spinal health.
- Bracing and Casting: Specially designed braces and casts are utilized to correct abnormal spinal curves and prevent further progression, especially in conditions like scoliosis. Our experienced orthotics and prosthetics team customizes each brace or cast to the child’s individual needs.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Adjustments in daily activities and habits, such as improving posture or reducing activities that strain the spine, are recommended to support overall spinal health.
- Medication: Pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to manage discomfort and reduce inflammation.
Surgical Treatments
When non-surgical treatments are ineffective, surgery may be necessary. Our skilled pediatric spine surgeons perform a variety of advanced procedures, including:
- Spinal Fusion Surgery: This procedure stabilizes the curved section of the spine using metal rods, hooks, screws, and bone grafts. Recovery typically takes 6-12 months, after which the fused spine won’t curve further.
- Vertebral Body Tethering: A minimally invasive procedure that uses the child’s growth to correct the spinal curve while preserving flexibility. This is suitable for children aged 8-15 with specific curve measurements and growth potential.
- Minimally Invasive Techniques: Our fully integrated operating rooms employ minimally invasive techniques, such as thoracoscopic-assisted spinal surgery and halo-gravity traction. These rooms have the latest imaging and monitoring technologies, allowing our surgical team to achieve unparalleled precision and safety.
Comprehensive Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is crucial after surgery or as part of non-surgical treatment. Our team works closely with pediatric physical therapy and rehabilitation specialists. We use personalized exercise programs and other proven methods to support our patients. They help regain strength, flexibility, and function in their recovery.
We combine expert surgical care with top rehabilitation and bracing to ensure each child gets the best, most effective, tailored treatment.
Our Approach to Pediatric Spine Care
When it comes to your child’s spine health, experience and outcomes matter. At Florida Medical Center Orlando Health, we combine advanced medical expertise with compassionate care tailored to each child’s unique needs. Our dedicated team is committed to guiding you every step of the way, ensuring your child receives the best possible care to stay happy, active, and pain-free. Contact us today for expert guidance and support in maintaining your child’s spinal health.