Includes specialty programs: Brachial Plexus Treatment / Clubfoot Clinic / Fetal Treatment Center / Fracture Clinic / Hand and Upper Extremity Clinic / Myelo Clinic / Neurofibromatosis (NF) Clinic / Neuromuscular Clinic / Osteogenesis Imperfecta Clinic / Skeletal Dysplasia Center / Spasticity Clinic / Spine Center / Sports Medicine / Motion Analysis Lab
A survey of northeast Ohio parents shows that we are their first choice for orthopedics and orthopedic surgery. U.S. News and World Reports agrees, ranking us among the best hospitals for pediatric orthopedic care. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of bone, joint, muscle and spine disorders and injuries in children, teens and young adults.
Bone, joint and muscle problems in children are quite different than those of an adult. Some problems are caused by growth.
That’s why we specialize in evaluating and treating musculoskeletal problems in children who are still growing − from newborns to teenagers. From fractures and sports-related injuries to scoliosis, spina bifida and cerebral palsy, we blend cutting-edge treatments and innovative surgical approaches with compassionate, family-centered care.
We are also studying whether a magnetic device can reduce surgeries in early-onset scoliosis. Treating children with early onset scoliosis is challenging because they’re still growing. Spinal fusion surgery prevents the growth of the spine and thorax during a critical period of lung development and impacts quality of life into adulthood
We treat kids with many types of orthopedic conditions, including:
The Spine Center, an Akron Children’s Hospital Center of Excellence, provides innovative technologies and techniques for spinal patients. Learn more
Our Ortho Team has established 4 pathways to yield the best results for our patients. Learn more
Akron Children’s has a national reputation as our pediatric surgeons offer a yearly resident review course providing orthopedic residents surgical skill training.
Chair, Department of Orthopedics; Director, Spine Center; Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Vice Chair, Department of Orthopedic Surgery; Co-Director, Brachial Plexus Treatment Center; Director, Clubfoot Clinic; Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon; Director, Orthopedic Surgery & Clubfoot Clinic, Mahoning Valley
Medical Staff Vice President; Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon; Sports Medicine Physician; Department Quality Officer
The goal of this study is to monitor long term-outcomes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients who receive surgical treatment, and patients who choose not to have surgery.
More about this study...The goal of this study is to collect patient data on children with spine and/or chest wall disorders.
More about this study...The goal of this study is to monitor long term-outcomes of patients with Scheuermann’s Kyphosis who receive surgical treatment, and patients who choose not to have surgery.
More about this study...The goal of this study is to monitor long term-outcomes of scoliosis patients who receive surgical treatment, and patients who choose not to have surgery.
More about this study...The goal of this study is to monitor long term-outcomes of patients with Marfan Syndrome who receive surgical treatment for scoliosis, and patients who choose not to have surgery.
More about this study...For complete study information see the study page on clinicaltrials.gov.
More about this study...View complete study information here.
More about this study...Use of markers with motion capture to see the space patients can reach with their hands before and after undergoing elbow or shoulder surgery.
More about this study...Use of markers with motion capture to see the space patients can reach with their hands to discover deficits in patients with Cerebral Palsy or Brachial Plexus.
More about this study...The study will use reflective markers that track movements to assess how children with no current injuries or health conditions can position and move their arms.
More about this study...Akron Children’s Hospital uses care pathways -- standardized plans of care that follow best practices for specific conditions or medical procedures. These care pathways are clearly defined and fine-tuned to guide our medical professionals in delivering the best care to our patients.
SCOLIOSIS PATHWAY
Akron Children’s Spine Center has a multidisciplinary team of experts that follows a comprehensive, evidence-based pathway for patients undergoing surgical correction of spinal curvature. By incorporating best practices before, during and after scoliosis surgery, this pathway has improved patient comfort and mobility, shortened the number of days in the hospital by more than 50%, significantly decreased the cost of care and yielded excellent patient outcomes.
PAIN MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Akron Children’s orthopedic surgeons were the first group of surgeons in the United States to develop guidelines for the appropriate management of pain once patients go home after surgery. These guidelines encourage the use of non-narcotic medications as much as possible, while reserving narcotics only for the treatment of severe pain. By following these guidelines, our orthopedic surgeons have decreased the use of narcotics and the associated risks, while still providing good pain control for our patients.
ACL PATHWAY
The sports medicine surgeons at Akron Children’s have reviewed all of the best methods of care for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. They’ve incorporated these practices into a care pathway that starts before surgery and continues until the patient has returned to the activities they enjoyed before the injury. This care pathway enhances the hospital experience for our patients and their families and, ultimately, leads to better overall outcomes for our patients.
NEUROMUSCULAR HIP PATHWAY
Our multidisciplinary team has developed a pathway for patients undergoing hip surgeries to maximize the health of their hips long term. Our surgical pain management techniques and collaboration between our medical and orthopedic teams ensure that our patients recover from their hip procedures in the most comfortable and safest environment possible.
AC separation, accessory navicular condition, acetabulum fracture, ACL injury, ACL tear, adhesive capsulitis, ankle injuries, ankle tightening, anterior cruciate ligament injury, asymmetrical thigh, avulsion fracture, back injury, back stress fracture, congenital dislocation of the hip, bilateral flatfoot, bimalleolar fracture, bow legged, brachial plexus, bruck syndrome, buckle fracture, Burner Stinger syndrome, bursitis, Calcaneal apophysitis, calcaneovalgus feet, calcaneus fracture, calcaneus deformity, camptodactyly, cartilage disorder, cervical fracture, cervical spine injuries, cervicaligia, chrondromalacia, clavicle injuries, club feet, clubfeet, collarbone, congenital metatarsus varus, distal radius fracture, entesopathy, equinus deformity of foot, extensor tendon laceration, femoral anteversion, fibroma of bone, golfer’s elbow, groin injury, gait abnormality, growth plate injury, hallux valgus, hamstring pull, heel pain, heel spur, herniated disk, hip dislocation, humerus fracture, impingement syndrome, internal tibial torsion, in toeing, joint effusion, jones fracture, knee injuries, knee instability, knee ligament tears, knock knee, leg length discrepancy, limb deformity, neck injury, nursemaids elbow, osteoarthritis, patella fracture, pelvis fracture, pigeon toe, pitcher’s elbow, rotator cuff injury, Rugger Jersey injury, Limp, torn rotator cuff, turf toe, tuft fracture, triquetral avulsion fracture, tri-plane fracture, triplane fracture, toe fracture, toe deformity, toddlers fracture, tibial spine fracture, tibial plateau fracture, tendon injury, tendinitis, tailbone injury, Sever’s disease, knee disorders, Scheuermann’s disease, Osteogenesis imperfecta, brittle bone disease, back pain, Blount's disease, meniscus tear, hip dysplasia, scoliosis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, clubfoot, metatarsus adductus, charcot-marie-tooth disease, developmental dysplasia of the hip, ellis-van creveld syndrome, fracture, hyper-lordosis, kyphosis, legg-calve-perthes disease, MCL injuries, meniscal cartilage tears, metabolic bone disease, muscular dystrophy, myelomeningocele, neural tube defects, neurofibromatosis, neuromuscular disorders, Osgood-Schlatter disease, osteochondritis dissecans, osteomyelitis, PCL injuries, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, stress fracture, tendinitis, torticollis, sesmoiditis, shin splints, spiral fracture, stress fracture, subluxation of shoulder, subluxation of hip, supination, uneven leg length