Pediatric Orthopedics in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is pediatric orthopedics?
Pediatric orthopedics is the branch of orthopedics that treats the bones, joints and muscles of children and teenagers. A child's skeleton is still growing: the bones contain growth plates, areas of soft cartilage near the ends of the bones where new bone forms, and the shape of the legs and feet changes naturally through childhood. Many things that worry parents are normal stages of this growth, and a key part of pediatric orthopedics is telling normal variation apart from a problem that needs treatment.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, children's bone and joint problems are assessed by the orthopedic team, working alongside Pediatrics so that growth, general health and development are considered together.
Who needs it
Pediatric orthopedics helps children with concerns such as:
- Leg shape: bow legs in toddlers and knock knees in young children, which are usually normal phases that straighten with growth.
- Feet: flat feet, which are normal in young children and often remain flexible and painless, and toe walking.
- Walking pattern: in-toeing, where the feet turn inward, which usually improves on its own through childhood.
- Hips in babies: developmental dysplasia of the hip, where the hip socket is shallow or the joint is loose, often picked up at the newborn check.
- A limp or joint pain, including hip or knee pain in active children and teenagers.
- Fractures and sports injuries, which in children can involve the growth plate.
- Back concerns such as scoliosis, covered on the scoliosis treatment page.
Knee pain in a teenager can come from the hip. A slipped capital femoral epiphysis, in which the top of the thigh bone shifts at its growth plate, often shows up as knee or thigh pain and a limp, particularly in teenagers carrying extra weight, so a painful knee in this age group is examined together with the hip.
What happens
The appointment starts with the story: when the concern began, how the child walks and plays, any pain, the pregnancy and birth history for babies, and any family history of hip or bone problems. The specialist then watches the child walk and run where possible, examines the joints, measures the legs and checks the feet, hips and spine.
Tests are used when they add information. Hip ultrasound is used for babies in the first months of life, before the hip bones have formed enough to show on X-ray, and X-rays are used for older children. Blood tests may be arranged for a limp with fever or unexplained pain.
Many children need reassurance and a plan to check progress. When treatment is needed, it may include exercises, insoles, a harness for a baby's hip, a cast or splint for a fracture, or surgery for a smaller number of conditions. Your specialist explains the reasons for each step and how growth will affect the plan.
Preparing for it
Bring your child's health record, previous X-rays or scans, and any photos or short videos of the walking pattern or limp at home, which can show things that are harder to see in a clinic room. For a baby, bring the newborn check results. Dress your child in shorts and a T-shirt so the legs, feet and back can be seen, and bring the shoes they wear most.
Explain to your child what will happen in simple terms, and bring a favourite toy or snack for younger children. Note your questions in advance so nothing is forgotten during the visit.
Afterwards
Many childhood conditions are followed over time with regular reviews that track how the bones and joints change with growth. If treatment is started, the team explains how to use splints, casts, insoles or a harness safely, and how to care for your child's skin. Physiotherapy is arranged as part of your care pathway where exercises are needed. Your specialist gives you a timeline for your child's case.
Contact the hospital if a cast or splint becomes loose, wet or uncomfortable, or if pain increases. Go to the emergency department straight away if your child has a fever together with a painful joint, refuses to walk or to move a limb, or if the fingers or toes beyond a cast become pale, blue or cold, as a hot, painful joint with fever can signal infection in the joint or bone.
Cost and insurance
Consultations, X-rays and ultrasound for children's bone and joint problems are covered by most UAE health insurance plans. Insoles, braces and harnesses are sometimes assessed separately or covered up to a limit, and planned surgery requires pre-approval. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your child's cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Are bow legs or knock knees in children normal?
Bow legs in toddlers and knock knees in young children are usually normal stages of growth and straighten on their own as the child grows. They need assessment if they are severe, uneven between the two legs, painful, or persist beyond the usual age range.
Do flat feet in children need treatment?
Flat feet are normal in young children, and flexible flat feet that cause no pain usually need no treatment. Assessment is worthwhile if the feet are stiff, painful, or affect only one side.
Why is my baby's hip being checked?
Babies' hips are checked at the newborn examination to detect developmental dysplasia of the hip, where the socket is shallow or the joint is loose. Early detection allows simple treatment with a harness in many babies. Swaddling a baby with the legs held straight and together raises the risk, so legs should be free to bend up and out at the hips.
My teenager has knee pain. Could it be the hip?
Knee pain in a teenager can come from the hip, particularly a slipped capital femoral epiphysis, where the top of the thigh bone shifts at its growth plate. A teenager with knee or thigh pain and a limp should have the hip examined, especially if the pain has lasted for more than a few days.
What are the risks of treatment for children's bone conditions?
Most treatment for children's bone and joint conditions is non-surgical and low risk, although casts, splints and harnesses can cause skin irritation. Surgery carries risks including infection, bleeding and effects on growth, and your specialist explains how these apply to your child.
Can a fracture affect my child's growth?
Most children's fractures heal quickly and without long-term effects, because growing bones remodel well. Fractures through a growth plate are monitored more closely, since growth plate injuries occasionally affect how the bone grows, and follow-up X-rays check this.
Is pediatric orthopedic care covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover consultations and imaging for children's bone and joint problems, while insoles, braces and harnesses may be limited and planned surgery requires pre-approval. Confirm your child's cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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