Skeletal Dysplasia Center
Skeletal dysplasia refers to a group of disorders that impact the growth and development of bone. This leads to a number of health-related issues with one of the most common being that of dwarfism. There over 450 distinct types of skeletal dysplasia. Due to the vast number of conditions and variety of associated medical problems, we have formed a comprehensive and patient-centered Skeletal Dysplasia Center in order to holistically address the wide variety of needs associated with these disorders.
At Akron Children’s Hospital, we have been caring for children & adults affected by skeletal dysplasia for decades. This led to the formal development of the Skeletal Dysplasia Clinic in 2001. Our team includes an orthopedic surgeon, geneticist, nurse practitioner, genetic counselor and clinical care coordinator. We individualize care to meet your specific needs and always meet one-on-one during your appointment that includes consultation with:
- Our geneticist and nurse practitioner manage your child’s ongoing medical concerns & wellness issues. They also monitor bone density, lab work, growth & development, as well as adaptive function and emotional health. Additionally, they coordinate care among the treatment team, which includes your referring primary care provider.
- Our pediatric orthopedic surgeon is on site and available same day to assess your child's bones, joints and spine as needed. When corrective action is needed due to bone growth problems, our surgeons are experienced and highly competent in the latest surgical techniques to maximize function and independence.
- Our licensed genetic counselor will discuss genetic testing to determine your child's diagnosis, how skeletal dysplasia can run in families, and options for genetic testing for future pregnancies and other family members.
- Our clinical nurse coordinator is present at each visit and keeps track of everything. This individual helps in coordinating referrals, handles paperwork and is available by phone when families need us. She serves as the one-stop contact person for our families.
Clinic is held in the Orthopedics Department:
- Park in the Bowery Garage and take the pedestrian walk on to the Considine Professional Building
- Take the elevators to Orthopedics on the 7th floor of the Considine Professional Building
Special Thanks
Our Skeletal Dysplasia Center was made possible through a generous donation from the Women’s Board of Akron Children’s Hospital.
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Schedule Online
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Schedule on MyChart
Log in to MyChart at mychart.akronchildrens.org. Select the patient you are scheduling for and click "Schedule an Appointment." Don't have MyChart?
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Speak with a scheduler
330-543-2778 (KID-APPT)
Locations
Akron Children's Hospital Skeletal Dysplasia Center, Akron
Considine Professional Building
215 West Bowery Street
Level 7
Akron, Ohio 44308
Fax: 330-543-7649
More about this location...
Map & directions
Our Doctors/Providers
Bethany Bland, RN, BSN
Nurse Program Coordinator
Additional Services
In one convenient visit, families can expect to meet with each of the above providers. Our multidisciplinary team provides diagnostic and therapeutic services that include:
- Orthopedic surgeons with specialized training in order to manage children & adults
- Spine issues
- Club feet and lower limb issues
- Hand and upper limb issues
- Orthotics (bracing)
- Complex-care pediatrician
- Genetic counseling
- Clinical nurse coordinator
- Pediatric neurology / neurosurgery
- Medical and surgical issues of the eyes
- Urology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pulmonary medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Physical & occupational therapy
- Nutrition / dietician services
- Speech and hearing
- Social services
Genetic Counseling
Genetic counseling is an important component of our center. Due to the complexity of inheritance associated with skeletal dysplasia, we place great value on educating families. The field of genetics is complex so we take the time to explain dominant and recessive inheritance, how the form of skeletal dysplasia in a given family is transmitted and who in the family has the chance to pass on the skeletal dysplasia in upcoming generations. For instance when recessive genes are involved, parents of average stature have the possibility to pass on a form of skeletal dysplasia to their children. Depending on the genetics, some siblings who are unaffected may carry a genetic change that could impact their children. All this is to say we want families to have and understand all relevant information so that they can make informed decisions.
Some of the Conditions We Treat...
Dwarfism, Chondrodysplasia Punctata, Diastrophic Dysplasia, Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome, Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia, Mucopolysaccharidoses, Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Pseudoachondroplasia, Skeletal Dysplasia, Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia, Spondylometaphyseal Dysplasia
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