For Parents
As
the parent of an injured child or teen, consider the fact that the
most important decision you will make is who you choose as their orthopedic
specialist. Your child will have to live with the outcome of your choice
for the rest of their life. Your child is trusting you with their future.
It is vital for you to learn how to find the best specialist for your
child.
Is
your child ready to begin playing sports?
Choosing
a quality physician for your child
Thankfully, the United States offers the highest quality health care
in the world. However, in order to benefit from it, you must actively
seek it out.
"Practice makes perfect." This
saying is very applicable to the field of medicine. You certainly wouldn't
want to be a cardiovascular surgeon's first bypass patient.
It is ironic that people may spend weeks shopping for a car that they will simply
sell or dispose of in a couple years, but will expend little or no effort in
their search for a physician.
To ensure the best possible outcome and
recovery for your child, it is crucial invest time and energy in locating
a specialist in pediatric sports medicine.
Pediatric
orthopedic specialists
Unlike fully-grown adults, children have growth plates, and their skeletons
and muscles develop at a quicker rate. Pediatric orthopedists deal with
musculoskeletal, congenital and growth-related problems that are unique
to children such as growth plate injuries, scoliosis and birth defects.
It
is important to find a pediatric orthopedic specialist who is qualified
and understands your child and his or her unique condition. Pediatric
orthopedic specialists have completed specific training and certification
programs in order to become an expert in the field of treating children.
Click
here to learn more about Dr. Christine Quatro of Varsity Orthopedics.
What to look for
First, board-certification in orthopedic surgery should be a minimum requirement.
Next, look for subspecialization in pediatric
orthopedics. This can be seen in a physician's specific training programs,
their credentials or their practice experience. The ideal choice is an
orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship-trained in pediatric orthopedics.
Fellowship training is the highest level of training available to a specialized
physician in the United States.
How
to research online
You can conveniently search for information about specific pediatric
orthopedic specialists on the Internet.
Complement
this search within individual Web sites with a review of reputable
sites that provide overall information about a specialty, such as the American
Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO). AAOS is responsible
for board certification of
M.D.'s. The American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery certifies D.O. specialists. These nonbiased, informational sites should
discuss various treatment options for specific problems, including "watchful
waiting." Compare this impartial information with the recommendations
of a particular physician or practice that you are considering for
your child.
Be
aware that some Web sites appear to be informational but are, in fact,
steerage devices for physicians who pay to be listed among “preferred
providers.”
A
WebMD article, "Looking for Dr. Right: Shopping Tips for the Medical
Marketplace," provides some additional tips on searching for a
physician:
- Get
a referral from someone you know in the medical community.
- Get
background information on specific doctors including training
and education. You can do this online or using a service. For example,
the American
Medical Association's Web site has a "doctor finder" database by area
and specialty. There are multiple other online sources for detailed
information, and some even offer a complete report of a physician.
- You
can also refer to the Texas State Board of Medical Examiner's
Web site for information about licensing — click on "Link to DocFinders/Texas." If
you are searching for a physician in another state, log on to the Administrators
in Medicine (AIM) Web site for a listing of medical boards by state.
The AIM "DocFinder" searches for a physician by
license number or name.
- When
you have narrowed down your choices of pediatric orthopedists, ask
the candidates specific questions related to how he or she plans to
keep your child healthy. It is important for them to explain clearly
and thoroughly the specific treatment methods they will use for your
child.
Click
on the following links for more information about:
Sports injuries
Fractures
Orthopedic
problems and birth defects
Growth-related
disorders
Scoliosis
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Disclaimer:
The pictures displayed in www.varsityorthopedics.com are images of actual patients and employees who have consented to have their picture in this website.
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