Pediatric Orthopaedics

The pediatric orthopaedic specialists at Nebraska Medicine are national leaders in the treatment of complex problems in children such as brittle bone disease, metabolic bone disease and early onset scoliosis as well as more common pediatric conditions.

Children may not be able to verbalize specifics regarding their pain. Possible signs of an orthopaedic problem include limping or a walking abnormality, refusing to bear weight, complaining of persistent pain, dragging a foot, foot pointing, back pain, asymmetry of the shoulders or pain that prevents a child from sleeping at night. We treat all types of common and complex pediatric orthopaedic conditions including:

  • Back Pain
  • Club Foot
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Fractures
  • Growth Injuries
  • Kyphosis
  • Limping
  • Leg Length Discrepancy
  • Hip Dislocation
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Perthes Disease
  • Spina Bifida
  • Spinal Deformity

Why Choose Nebraska Medicine for Pediatric Orthopaedic Care:

Experience and Expertise

When you need advanced orthopaedic treatment, Nebraska Medicine has the experience and expertise you are looking for to get the best possible care. Our team, which includes the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, provides top-quality care to more than 35,000 patients each year. Your treatment is provided by a small army of veteran surgeons, doctors, nurses, therapists, specialists, scientists, biomechanical engineers, researchers, and support personnel. 

Providing the Best Outcomes Possible

In the event surgery is required, you can relax knowing our expert surgeons perform thousands of surgeries each year. We're especially focused on decreasing a patient's risk of infection during and after surgery through a variety of methods. Studies have shown that the greater the volume of surgeries performed at a hospital, the better the outcomes. Our doctors are also very experienced at only recommending surgery to you if it's a good fit for you and your situation. Choosing the right surgery for the right patient with the right implant and right physical therapy contributes to better results and, happier patients. The care team also includes our pediatric anesthesia team. This team consists of anesthesiologists board certified in pediatric anesthesia who provide the unique care of children presenting for surgical, interventional and diagnostic procedures at our hospital. There is a pediatric anesthesiologist on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to care for our littlest patients.

The Most Advanced and Innovative Therapies

From bracing and surgery to physical therapy and occupational therapy, Nebraska Medicine offers comprehensive treatment options for pediatric orthopaedic conditions. Nebraska Medicine doctors are leaders in practicing the Ponseti casting method in treating clubfoot. Nebraska Medicine is also the only hospital in the region to offer a motion analysis diagnostic testing, or Gait studies, where computer analysis of motion assists physicians in diagnosing conditions and determining the best course of treatment.

Leading the Way in Technology and Research

Many of our orthopaedic surgeons are involved in groundbreaking technological and clinical research that is transforming the future of orthopaedic surgery. UNMC's orthopaedic research laboratory is one of the largest academic facilities in the country conducting technological research to aid the orthopaedic industry. Through the collaborative work of our engineers, surgeons and technologists at our world-class research program Biomechanics laboratory, we are performing cutting-edge research to create "smart" implants that last longer and perform better than anything that exists today, as well as innovative work on wear testing of joints that is helping to set national and international standards for testing of knee replacement systems.

We Are Dedicated to Research and Clinical Trials

Our orthopaedic surgeons are leaders in research and are pioneers in ushering in the latest orthopaedic treatments and procedures to best address patient needs. This means you have the opportunity to take part in some of the most current clinical trials and the newest and most cutting-edge treatment options.

Accreditations and Awards

Highly Ranked Care

Nebraska Medicine is ranked among the nation’s best. Each year, U.S. News and World Report surveys the nation’s roughly 5,000 hospitals to come up with the year’s list of Best Hospitals. Just 3 percent of the hospitals analyzed for Best Hospitals earn national ranking in even one specialty.

  • Recognized as a high-performing hospital for orthopaedics in the 2011 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking
  • Ranked nationally for orthopaedics in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking
  • Recognized as a high-performing hospital for orthopaedics in the 2013 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking
  • Recognized as a high-performing hospital for orthopaedics in the 2014 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking
  • Ranked as a best regional hospital in Eastern Nebraska in the 2015 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking