When you come to UC Davis Health, you can be confident your child is in the hands of compassionate experts. U.S. News & World Report ranks our Pediatric Orthopedic Program among the top programs in the nation. We’re proud to partner with Shriners Children’s Northern California to provide specialized pediatric orthopedic care.

Our multidisciplinary approach allows us to care for everything from minor injuries to bone tumors. We bring together pediatric orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, sports medicine physicians and prosthetics specialists to focus on your child's specific needs. This close teamwork means your child receives seamless, coordinated care tailored to your child’s condition.

Our physicians have completed years of specialized education and training in pediatric orthopedics. We also lead and participate in national research on the most promising innovative therapies for children’s musculoskeletal problems. We use this knowledge to improve your child’s care and deliver the best treatment.

Bone cysts are benign (noncancerous), fluid-filled or blood-filled spaces within a bone. They can weaken the bone and increase the risk of a fracture. Depending on the type, location and size of the cyst, our specialists may recommend monitoring, injections or surgery.

Bone tumors are abnormal growths that may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The most common pediatric bone cancers are osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. We partner with our Pediatric Cancer Center to provide your child with individualized, integrated cancer care.

Children can be born with limb or spine differences, such as clubfoot (foot twisted inward), leg length differences or scoliosis (curved spine). Some may be diagnosed at birth, but others may not be seen until later. Your child may benefit from monitoring (watchful waiting), physical therapy, assistive devices or surgery.

Many children experience fractures (broken bones), strains (torn or stretched muscles or tendons, which connect muscles to bones) or sprains (stretched or torn ligaments, which connect bones to each other). They may also develop overuse injuries like tendonitis (irritated or inflamed tendon) from repeated motions like throwing a ball. We ensure your child receives personalized care that fits their needs and activity level. Their customized treatment plan may include specialized exercises, physical therapy or surgery for severe or complex injuries.

Childhood (juvenile) arthritis can interfere with your child’s growth and make it hard to do things they love. Our orthopedic team works with pediatric rheumatologists, who lead diagnosis and medication treatment, to address joint function, growth and mobility. Our treatments aim to control inflammation, relieve symptoms and help your child remain active. Some children achieve remission from juvenile arthritis.

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone, usually caused by bacteria that reach the bone through the bloodstream. Bacteria may also enter through an open wound or after surgery. Our orthopedic specialists quickly evaluate your child’s needs and recommend a treatment plan, which may include antibiotics. Some children also need surgery to drain an abscess or remove infected or damaged tissue (debridement).

Problems related to a child’s development, such as misalignment of bones or damage to cartilage near the end of a bone (growth plate), can result in orthopedic problems.

Genetic conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome, can affect your child’s connective tissues.

An injury while playing or participating in sports can lead to an orthopedic condition.

Neuromuscular diseases, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, can cause pediatric orthopedic issues.

Conditions such as Blount’s disease (abnormal growth at the top of the shinbone) and rickets (soft or weak bones due to problems with bone mineralization) can affect bone growth and alignment.

Our pediatric orthopedic specialists can place a cast or splint to help broken bones heal and treat conditions such as clubfoot.

Braces and custom supports are used to improve alignment, stability and function, including bracing for scoliosis.

Exercises and rehabilitation can be helpful treatment options to improve strength, flexibility and mobility and allow your child to return to daily activities.

Our specialists in sports-related orthopedic injuries tailor treatment plans to include activity modification, rehabilitation and orthopedic surgery when needed. Treatment plans include guidance on returning your child safely to their sports.

Surgical treatment options can include treating limb differences, unequal leg lengths, hip disorders and spinal deformities.

This treatment includes monitoring, injections or surgery, depending on the diagnosis. Our specialists collaborate on treatment plans for cancerous tumors with our pediatric oncology team.

Antibiotics may be used to treat bone and joint infections. When needed, surgery can be an option to drain the infection or remove damaged tissue.

Artificial limbs, walking aids and other equipment can be used to support your child’s mobility and independence.