+1-202-476-5778 Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Children’s National Hospital treats children with conditions affecting the structure or function of their joints and skeletal system – from head to toe. Our surgeons are leaders in a wide range of specialties, including spinal deformities, bone health and hip preservation, which has led to our ranking among the best pediatric orthopaedics programs in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
Choosing Children's National for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Our goal is to treat our young patients with the most advanced and least invasive procedures available. Because we focus only on caring for children and treat a high volume of cases, our team has the expertise to deliver excellent results so your child can regain optimal mobility and an improved quality of life.
Our team offers your child:
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Pediatric Expertise
Our large team of fellowship-trained pediatric orthopaedists, led by Matthew Oetgen, M.D., M.B.A., treats every type of orthopaedic injury and condition—from the most common to the most complex.
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Growth-Plate Sparing Treatments
We understand that children are not simply miniature adults. We are experts in treating conditions or injuries near growing areas of your child’s bones (known as growth plates) with a focus on optimizing your child’s future growth. -
Innovative Care Programs
Our Spinal Fusion Surgical Home is the first pediatric program of its kind in the United States. Using a team approach, we deliver safe, effective and family-centered care to children undergoing spine-straightening surgery, known as posterior spinal fusion. This team-based approach to care leads to shorter hospital stays, a decreased infection rate and a reduced need for narcotic pain medications. -
Laparoscopic Surgery
When surgery is necessary, we strive to use laparoscopic surgery, which is a minimally invasive technique. Laparoscopic surgery allows for shorter recovery time and reduced pain. -
Cutting-Edge Technology
Our team utilizes EOS® – a Nobel prize-winning technology which allows us to take high-quality full body images more quickly and with less radiation than traditional X-rays.
Specialized Orthopaedic Programs
In addition to their dedication to meeting the unique needs of children, many of our physicians have undergone training in subspecialties within orthopaedic medicine. This allows us to offer a wide variety of treatment programs for pediatric orthopaedic disorders and injuries.
Our programs include:
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Bone Health Program
Certain diseases or medications can affect the strength and density of a child’s bones. Our team, led by world-renowned pediatric orthopaedic expert, Laura Tosi, M.D., helps patients develop stronger and healthier bones to reduce the risk of fractures and other injuries. Common conditions we treat include limb deformities and skeletal dysplasias such as osteogensis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), achondroplasia, fibrous dysplasia, neurofibromatosis and osteopetrosis. -
Hand Program
Our surgeons are specially-trained to treat disorders and injuries of the hands and upper limbs. They work with our physical and occupational therapists to help restore normal, or near-normal, function in children with rare – and common –disorders that can affect the hands, wrists, elbows, fingers, arms, shoulders and tendons. -
Hip Program
Our team offers comprehensive care and hope to children and young adults with hip disorders. Whether your child was born with or developed a hip disease, or has acquired one due to injury or trauma, we are dedicated to achieving excellent outcomes for your child. Our team includes renowned pediatric orthopaedic specialist Benjamin Martin, M.D., who has expertise in treating conditions such as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), hip dysplasia in children and young adults and Legge-Calve-Perthes disease. We also treat hip problems caused by other conditions including sickle cell disease, skeletal dysplasia, leg length discrepancy and cerebral palsy. -
Limb Lengthening
From bone shortening surgery to the best available lengthening devices, our team expertly delivers the complete range of pediatric limb lengthening treatments, including the only approved frameless limb-lengthening device.
Common conditions we treat that cause limb length discrepancy include:
- Limb deformities
- Blounts disease
- Fibula hemimelia (shortness or absence of the fibula)
- Tibia hemimelia (shortness or absence of the tibia)
- Clubfoot
- Cerebral palsy
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Orthopaedic Trauma
Orthopaedic trauma involves serious injury to the bones and joints that come on suddenly, such as when your child is in a car accident or experiences a bad fall. We are designated as a Level I Trauma Center, providing your child with around-the-clock access to the most advanced care. -
Spine Program
Our pediatric orthopaedic specialists, including spine surgeon Shannon Kelly, M.D., are highly experienced in treating children with scoliosis and other types of spinal deformities. We use innovative treatments, such as the MAGEC™ Growing Rod, to optimize the health and function of your child’s spine and spinal halo-gravity traction, a treatment that can help gradually straighten the spine over time and decrease the size of the spinal curve prior to surgery. -
Sports Medicine
We care for more than 5,000 patients each year. Unlike programs for adults, we have specialists who utilize techniques that protect your child’s physical development. We are adept at treating sprains and strains as well as sports overuse injuries like shin splints and spondylolysis. Whatever the condition, our experts provide the highest level of treatment to get your child back to his or her normal activities as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Contact Our Global Services Team
If your child needs treatment and care, our global services team can help set up a consultation.
We're here to support you on your international care journey. We have been caring for international patients and their families for more than 20 years and will serve as your dedicated partner as you travel for care – setting up your medical appointments, recommending travel accommodations and lodging, and ensuring that your cultural and religious needs are being met.
For more information or to make an appointment contact us at +1-202-476-5778 or by email at globalservices@childrensnational.org.
If you are interested in your child becoming a Children’s National Hospital patient, please fill out our intake form.
