PEDIATRIC ORTHOPEDICS
Specialized Pediatric Orthopedic Care in Chennai
Why Pediatric Orthopedic Care Differs from Adults
Pediatric orthopedics is a distinctive subspeciality as bone, joint and muscular problems in children are very different from adults in their causes as well as treatment. The Pediatric Orthopedics Department at KKCTH has being functioning since the founding of the institution. Having started off with an Associate Physiotherapy Department alone, in 1984, regular inpatient and outpatient services were introduced.
Specialized Treatments by Our Pediatric Orthopedic Doctors
The Department specializes in spinal deformities and is also renowned for its treatment for children with deformities, infections, trauma and paralytic diseases, particularly cerebral palsy. Patients suffering from congenital dislocation of hips, children with limb length discrepancies, recurrent deformities of limbs and spinal deformities are referred here from all over the state as well as from other states. The department has one of the largest series of congenital spinal deformity cases treated in collaboration with the neurosurgeons.
Expert Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons in Chennai
he department has been expanding with addition of well-trained Orthopedic Surgeons, who are fellowship trained and have wide range of experience in various sub-specialities in Pediatric Orthopedics. The consultants have been invited as faculty in various National and State CME meetings and conferences for the last 30 years.
In addition to providing advanced patient care, the department also extends its academic work by offering clinical fellowships (1 candidate every year), to inspire and train young Orthopedic surgeons in the field of Pediatric Orthopedics.
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FAQ
- KKCTH's Paediatric Orthopaedics Department—one of the oldest and most experienced in South India, manages the full range of musculoskeletal conditions in children, from newborns to adolescents.
- Conditions include congenital deformities (clubfoot, congenital dislocation of hip, limb length discrepancy), neuromuscular disorders (cerebral palsy, spina bifida-related deformities), spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis, congenital spine anomalies), infections (septic arthritis, osteomyelitis), traumatic injuries (fractures, growth plate injuries), and paralytic conditions. Consulting orthopaedic surgeons Dr. Vijay Sriram, Dr. Sureshbabu Manivannan (Fellowship, NUH Singapore), and Dr. Kailash Sarathy (Fellowship, NUH Singapore and POSI India) bring fellowship-level subspeciality expertise.
- Yes. Growth plate (physeal) injuries receive meticulous attention at KKCTH because inappropriate management can result in limb length discrepancy or angular deformity as the child grows.
- The Salter-Harris classification system guides treatment selection. Growth plate fractures that are displaced or involve the articular surface require anatomical reduction, often surgically to minimise the risk of physeal arrest. KKCTH's fellowship-trained paediatric orthopaedic surgeons are experienced in physeal-sparing fixation techniques and long-term radiological surveillance to detect early growth disturbance.
- Yes. KKCTH is a regional referral centre for paediatric spinal deformity, including complex congenital and idiopathic scoliosis requiring surgical correction.
- The department holds one of the largest series of congenital spinal deformity cases treated in India, managed in close collaboration with neurosurgeons where intraspinal anomalies co-exist. Treatment modalities range from observation and bracing for mild curves to posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion, and in selected cases growing-rod constructs for early-onset scoliosis to preserve spinal growth while controlling deformity progression.
- Yes. Early intervention for congenital orthopaedic deformities is fundamental to KKCTH's philosophy, as the malleable biology of neonatal and infant tissue yields superior outcomes compared with correction attempted later in childhood.
- Congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot) is managed with the Ponseti serial casting protocol from the first weeks of life. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is addressed with harness treatment in infancy, with surgical options reserved for late-presenting or resistant cases. Complex limb deformities are assessed with multidisciplinary input and corrective plans initiated at the earliest appropriate age.
- Yes. KKCTH's Kausalyam Rehabilitation Services provide structured physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and orthotic support as an integral part of orthopaedic care.
- Post-operative rehabilitation is initiated early to optimise functional outcomes. Children with cerebral palsy and neuromuscular conditions receive ongoing rehabilitation aligned with their surgical management goals. Orthotics and prosthetics are prescribed and reviewed in collaboration with rehabilitation specialists to support ambulation, upper limb function, and activities of daily living.
- Yes. Where clinically appropriate, KKCTH's orthopaedic surgeons utilise minimally invasive and arthroscopic techniques to reduce morbidity and accelerate recovery.
- Percutaneous fixation of paediatric fractures (including supracondylar and femoral fractures), arthroscopic management of intra-articular pathology, and minimally invasive corrective osteotomies are performed where patient selection supports these approaches. The decision between open and minimally invasive surgery is guided by fracture pattern, age, weight-bearing requirements, and surgeon expertise.