Pediatric Orthopedics

Partnership with the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children 

Since 1998, we have partnered with the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC) to deliver exceptional orthopedic care to children. LuskinOIC has been a leader in offering outstanding, comprehensive pediatric treatment for more than 110 years.

Thanks to this alliance, we can offer your child exceptional, targeted care. Additionally, UCLA Health and LuskinOIC work together to create more research opportunities, leading to more groundbreaking pediatric treatments.

Our Areas of Care

Our pediatric orthopedists specialize in diagnosing, treating and managing the full range of orthopedic conditions affecting babies, children and young adults. Our programs and services include:

Advanced diagnostics

If your child has a disorder affecting their spine, hip or legs, they may get EOS imaging. EOS technology provides high-quality 3D images, allowing for: 

• Less radiation exposure than traditional X-rays
• Standing during imaging, which offers a better view for our doctors
• Safe, accurate diagnoses that help us provide the most effective treatments

Pediatric orthopedic urgent care

We offer two convenient options for children who need same-day orthopedic care: 

• Pediatric Orthopedic Urgent Care: This clinic provides walk-in access to pediatric-trained specialists in a child-friendly environment. We also provide on-site imaging, pharmacy services and sensory-sensitive exam spaces. No appointment necessary.
• Walk-In Clinic: Children age 7 and older can get prompt evaluation and treatment at the Santa Monica Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic. Pediatric orthopedic experts assess injuries, order imaging and recommend next steps. No appointment necessary. Learn more about our Santa Monica Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic.

Comprehensive cerebral palsy care

Children with cerebral palsy receive comprehensive, leading-edge care at the Center for Cerebral Palsy at LuskinOIC from a team of experts, including:

• Dietitians
• Neurologists
• Pediatric orthopedists
• Physical therapists
• Psychologists

We work together to empower you to manage cerebral palsy, improve quality of life and help your child be active and maintain their independence.

Scoliosis program for children and teens

Children and teens with scoliosis get coordinated, comprehensive care at the LuskinOIC Pediatric Scoliosis Center. Our renowned team offers the full range of treatments, including nonsurgical and surgical approaches. Your child has access to treatments that result in less pain and minimize long-term effects on height and lung development.

State-of-the-art fracture care

If your child breaks a bone, proper treatment is essential to their continued growth and healing. The LuskinOIC Ahmanson Foundation Fracture Center is one of the largest pediatric fracture centers in the country, providing expert care for all types of broken bones.

Equipped with the most advanced technology and comprehensive on-site rehabilitation, we help your child get back to the activities they love as soon as possible.

Premier clubfoot program

We use proven techniques, including stretching, casting and bracing, to help your child play, run, walk and be active. Your child receives comprehensive care at the LuskinOIC Center for Clubfoot from a specially trained team of: 

• Cast technicians
• Orthotists (specialists who make and fit splints or braces)
• Pediatric orthopedists
• Physical therapists

Craniofacial and cleft palate program

At the Pediatric Craniofacial Specialty Care Center, your child receives care from the nation’s leading program for cleft lip and palate treatment. We have achieved recognition from the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. Your child’s care team works closely with their referring pediatrician to provide comprehensive care. Our skilled team includes:  

• Audiologists
• Head and neck surgeons
• Medical geneticists
• Orthodontists
• Plastic surgeons
• Speech pathologists

Dedicated bone and soft tissue tumor program

Pediatric bone and soft tissue tumors are rare, requiring specialized expertise. The Musculoskeletal Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Program at LuskinOIC is one of a few centers nationwide dedicated to pediatric bone tumors. Your child receives exceptional care from pediatric orthopedic experts who collaborate closely with pediatric oncologists.

The UCLA Health orthopedic oncology program has pioneered limb-sparing surgical techniques. Today, we lead many clinical trials to develop new approaches to treating cancer. Your child receives leading-edge treatments aimed at delivering the best outcomes.  

Designated spina bifida program

Your child’s spina bifida care team is passionate about delivering comprehensive, well-rounded treatment. We have achieved recognition as a designated Spina Bifida Center with California Children’s Services. Our multispecialty team includes: 

• Audiologists
• Dietitians
• Pediatric orthopedists
• Pediatric neurologists
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Speech-language pathologists
• Urologists

Groundbreaking hemophilia treatment center

Hemophilia can lead to joint bleeding, pain and long-term damage, making orthopedic care an essential part of treatment. Our Orthopaedic Hemophilia Treatment Center (OHTC) brings together the specialists needed to manage these challenges.

We help your child manage hemophilia so they can live an active life. Our program combines the expertise of: 

• Hematologists
• Pediatric orthopedists
• Physical therapists

Sports medicine program

We help your child get back to their usual activities as quickly and safely as possible. Your child gets comprehensive treatment for a wide range of sports injuries at the LuskinOIC Center for Sports Medicine. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and nurse practitioners come together to deliver effective treatments that minimize recovery time.

Pediatric Orthopedic Conditions We Treat

Some of the conditions we treat include:

Congenital disorders

Congenital disorders are conditions present at birth. We partner with specialists in pediatric genetics to offer comprehensive care for genetic disorders and inherited conditions. We help you learn more about the condition and understand treatment options. Our expertise includes treatments for:

• Arthrogryposis: A disorder involving stiffness in several joints
• Brachial plexus palsy: Damage to nerves controlling the arm muscles
• Cerebral palsy: Disorders affecting movement and balance
• Congenital limb disorders: Clubfoot and other limb irregularities, including differences in limb length and extra, missing or webbed fingers and toes
• Connective tissue disorders: Inherited or autoimmune disorders affecting connective tissues in the body, including Marfan syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
• Hemophilia: A bleeding disorder that can cause painful joint problems
• Muscular dystrophy: An inherited disorder causing progressive muscle weakness
• Skeletal dysplasias/dwarfism: Conditions affecting the growth of bones and cartilage, leading to short stature

Fractures and growth plate problems

We treat all types of broken bones, from common to complex. Our specialists also care for growth plate fractures and other growth plate issues. We treat:

• Blount’s disease: Problems with growth plates in the knees that can lead to bowed legs
• Comminuted fractures: A type of fracture that shatters the bone into several pieces
• Displaced fractures: Bones that shift out of place
• Open fractures: Broken bones that pierce through the skin
• Stable (nondisplaced) fractures: Bones that are broken but still aligned

Hand trauma

Our pediatric orthopedists have specialized knowledge and expertise in treating hand injuries and conditions. These include injuries from overuse or accidents. We treat:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: Compressed nerves in the wrist, causing difficulty grasping an object
• Osteoarthritis: A type of arthritis that causes joint damage, pain and problems with mobility
• Tendonitis: Inflammation in the layer of tissue connecting muscles and bones (tendons)
• Traumatic injuries: Severe fractures and nerve damage

Hip disorders

We are specially trained to help children with a wide range of hip problems. Some of these disorders are present at birth, and some develop later in childhood. We specialize in:

• Femoral-acetabular impingement: Causes the ball of the hip joint to pinch the socket and damage cartilage in the joint
• Hip dysplasia: The ball-and-socket joint develops atypically
• Perthes disease: Affects the blood supply to the top of the thigh bone, gradually causing the bone to die
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis: Damage to growth plates in the hip that causes the joint to shift out of place

Spine disorders

Our team includes experts with experience treating even the most complex spine conditions. Using the latest advances, we treat:

• Scoliosis: Curvature of the spine
• Spinal tumors: Noncancerous (benign) and cancerous growths that develop anywhere along the spine
• Spondylolysis: Stress fractures in the vertebrae
   

Pediatric Orthopedic Treatments We Offer

UCLA Health pediatric orthopedic specialists deliver the full range of treatments for orthopedic conditions, disorders and injuries. Our experts offer noninvasive treatments, physical and occupational therapy, and minimally invasive techniques.

If your child needs complex surgery, they receive expert care from experienced, highly skilled surgeons. Some of the treatments we offer include:

Specialized treatments

Our experts treat even the most complex orthopedic disorders, including severe scoliosis, hip disorders and traumatic fractures. We offer successful treatments that relieve pain and improve function. These include:

• Bone and soft tissue tumor treatments: A combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and surgery
• Cerebral palsy (CP) treatments: Includes injections to relieve muscle spasticity and deep brain stimulation (DBS) to help children with involuntary movement disorders that result from CP
• Osteotomies: Surgical procedures to reshape bones to treat scoliosis, congenital limb differences and hip disorders such as hip dysplasia
• Ponseti method: A highly successful nonsurgical treatment for clubfoot, involving three stages: stretching, casting and bracing
• Scoliosis treatments: Includes bracing, vertebral body tethering, surgery to implant growing rods and traditional spinal fusion
• Skeletal dysplasia treatments: Includes growth hormone injections and surgery to correct physical irregularities or spine problems
• Treatments for congenital limb disorders: Procedures or devices to treat limb differences, such as leg lengthening, orthotics, artificial limbs or surgery

Sophisticated gait training

Our state-of-the-art Center for Cerebral Palsy houses the Kameron Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory. At this lab, we use groundbreaking technology to help children and adults with cerebral palsy.

Our sophisticated motion analysis system provides 3D images of the joints while walking. These images help specialists provide the most effective therapies. The Center also features gait training using a robotic device that helps children walk and improve their gait.

Customized therapy

Experts in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology design an individual treatment plan for your child. With specialized training in a range of disorders and injuries, our therapists are uniquely qualified to deliver effective, tailored therapies.
 

Affiliated Physicians and Team Members

• Joshua Goldman, MD -Non-op Sports Medicine
• Deborah Krakow, MD - Musculoskeletal Genetics and Fetal Medicine
• James V. Luck, MD - Orthopaedic Oncology and Hemophilia
• Doris Quon, MD - Hemophilia Treatment Center
• Joan Wright, MD - Orthopaedic Surgeon, Hand & Upper Extremity
• Donald Hoechlin, MD - Orthopaedic Urgent Care and Fractures
• Libby Wilson, MD - Plastic Surgery, Cleft Palate
• CJ Duffaut, MD - Non-op Sports Medicine
• Victoria Kang, MD - Orthopaedic Urgent Care
• Patricia McKeever, MD - Fracture Center
• Emily Miller, MD – Non-op Sports Medicine 
• Justin Barad, MD – Fracture Center