Our Treatment Approach

Our orthopedic department is home to full-time pediatric orthopedic surgeons and several of Chicago’s Top Doctors with inpatient and outpatient facilities. We are part of national research groups in orthopedic conditions. Our patients benefit from one of Illinois’ few pediatric rheumatologists.

If your child has orthopedic conditions such as cerebral palsy, hip dysplasia, clubfoot, a hand or limb difference or a fracture, Shriners Children's Chicago is an exceptional facility to consider for their treatment. We also offer special clinics for spina bifida and muscular dystrophy, as well as brace and wheelchair assessments and services for our orthopedic patients.

We will work with you to develop a care plan unique to your child's needs. Their care plan can include various treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation plans and psychological support.

Our spine orthopedic surgeons provide a team approach for the evaluation and treatment of spinal conditions, including scoliosis, Scheuermann’s kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, skeletal dysplasias, spinal fractures and tumors.

If your child has scoliosis or a spine condition, our team of specialists will work with you to develop a plan that covers all aspects of their care, including surgery, rehabilitation, treatment and psychological support. We offer on-site prosthetists for back braces as part of our POPS program.

In cases where there is early detection, your child’s spine is still growing, so we focus on using minimally invasive, fusionless treatment options whenever possible. If your child's condition is more complex and requires spinal fusions, our specialists will use more advanced surgical techniques as part of their treatment plan.

Our team at Shriners Children’s Chicago includes internationally recognized physicians and specialists who are highly experienced in treating pediatric cleft and craniofacial conditions. Our team approach to care includes visits with up to 10 specialists during a single consultation.

If your child has a cleft lip and/or cleft palate, a combination of surgeries and treatments will be included in their individualized care plan. Our specialized plastic surgeons will provide surgical repair to improve functional abilities associated with your child's condition(s). Our care focuses on improving your child's breathing, speaking and eating abilities while reconstructing their facial tissue and supporting their self-esteem.

Our specialists perform plastic surgery for craniofacial syndromes, jaw deformities, infant head shape concerns, as well as treat scars and deformities of the ears, skin, breasts and other parts of the body. If your child requires plastic surgery for their condition, our specialists will work with you to develop an individualized plan that that involves on-site specialists in psychology, audiology, dentistry, and speech therapy, all focused on providing the best outcome possible.

Our comprehensive rehabilitation program is made up of physical medicine & rehabilitation physicians and therapists. At Shriners Children's Chicago, we feature robotic and advanced technologies and a warm water therapy pool. We offer our patients a team approach to conditions like cerebral palsy, brachial plexus, arthrogryposis, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, wound care, or following surgical procedures. We work with specialists across all departments to integrate other treatments into your child's rehabilitation care plan as needed.

If your child's plan involves rehabilitation, then our team will work with them to design an individualized care plan that optimizes their independence and improves their function.

The Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) team is devoted to designing braces, prosthetic arms and legs, and adaptive devices that give children the ability to pursue their dreams.

When you and your child visit our POPS team, it is more than measurements and mechanics. It is about your child sharing their hopes and dreams and providing our team with information specific to them. These personalized details about your child's activities and lifestyle allow our technicians to return to the lab and design a perfect fit just for them.