Pediatric Orthopedics
The Pediatric Orthopedic Department of the Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital at the Ichilov (Sourasky) Medical Center in Tel Aviv specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. It provides care for both complex cases requiring surgical intervention and for standard injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.
The department is staffed by experienced specialists, with a wide focus in pediatric orthopedics.
It offers high-quality medical care covering the full range of pediatric orthopedic diseases and conditions. Annually, the department conducts over 12,000 consultations and more than 750 surgeries.
Surgical treatments are performed using highly advanced technologies.
Treatment of Clubfoot
Clubfoot is a congenital foot deformity that occurs due to abnormal development between the 12th and 17th weeks of pregnancy. It affects approximately two in 1,000 newborns, with a higher incidence in boys. At our clinic, treatment is based on the Ponseti method, which has been successfully used since the late 1990s. This approach includes physiotherapy, casting, and minimal surgical interventions.
The therapy involves changing the cast a few times during the course of treatment until gradually correcting the foot’s position. If necessary, a surgery of the Achilles tendon (tenotomy) is performed under local anesthesia. After the casting, special braces (such as Denis Browne splints) are used, worn for most of the day in the first months and then only at night until the child reaches the age of four. Treatment requires long-term monitoring: until the grow of the foot growth is complete. Our clinic’s experience shows that the Ponseti method provides excellent results and reduces the need for extensive surgeries.
Correction of Deformities and Limb Length Discrepancies
Children, adolescents, and young adults with congenital defects, orthopedic diseases, syndromes, and tumors require correction of deformities and limb length discrepancies. Patients are under long-term observation starting from prenatal counseling through skeletal maturity. Throughout treatment, assessments are performed as needed to monitor the progression of deformities and limb shortening.
The treatment plan includes methods for correcting growth and deformities, such as halting growth in specific areas to align leg lengths, bone osteotomy with fixation, or limb lengthening using external fixation devices. The goal is to ensure that, at the end of growth, the limbs are aligned correctly, with equal length and preserved joint function. The department also provides consultations with specialists in pediatric plastic surgery, forearm and hand surgery.
Scoliosis is a spinal deformity measured in degrees, it can be mild (up to 10 degrees) or severe (over 10 degrees). Mild scoliosis occurs in 3-5% of the population, while severe deformities affect 0.3-0.4%. In most cases parents notices asymmetry in the chest or waistline, a tilted pelvis, or suspected leg length discrepancy.
The treatment for scoliosis depends on its severity. Severe deformities require surgical intervention to restore spinal balance through internal fixation. Most children diagnosed with congenital scoliosis will eventually need surgical intervention. A personalized surgical plan is created for each patient.
