Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Premier Care You Can Count On

Pediatric orthopedic conditions and sports injuries require delicate, tailored care. Because your child's needs are unique, it is important to seek care from pediatric orthopedic specialists who are dedicated to providing personalized, thorough, child-friendly treatment.

Pediatric orthopedic specialists at Riley at IU Health care for babies and children of all ages. Orthopedic conditions and injuries treated by our team include:

• Skeletal malformations and congenital conditions. We care for children of all ages with a wide range of skeletal malformations and congenital conditions, including leg length discrepancies, clubfoot and post-traumatic deformities. Our doctors use a variety of treatment methods, including guided-growth procedures, external fixation devices and multiple-level osteotomies (the cutting of bones). The methods used depend on the level of complexity of each individual case. Long bone lengthening is also possible for patients with leg length discrepancies.
• Neuromuscular conditions. Our doctors diagnose and treat a variety of orthopedic complications related to neuromuscular conditions—such as spinal deformities and gait abnormalities—in collaboration with doctors from Riley Neurology at IU Health. These conditions include any syndrome or disorder that impairs the functions of the nervous system or muscles, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
• Scoliosis and other pediatric spine conditions. We provide treatment for a variety of spinal malformations in patients from infancy to adolescence, especially surgical treatment for idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis. Our innovative surgical techniques include the use of growing spine constructs such as the MAGEC rod. This magnetic rod is surgically implanted. As your child grows, the rod is lengthened without surgery in the clinic. A magnetic wand placed on the skin activates the rod. This device allows our specialists to minimize spinal fusion, benefiting patients by preserving spine motion. We are also the only center in Indiana to provide casting for infantile or early onset scoliosis.
  • EOS imaging. We utilize Indiana’s only EOS imaging machine for most patients who have conditions such as scoliosis, leg deformities or differences in leg lengths. EOS was born out of Nobel Prize-winning technology. It provides patients with up to four to 10 times less radiation than other imaging services, an especially important value to patients who require many radiographic studies as part of their care plan. Primary care doctors can request use of the EOS imaging machine whether or not your child is a patient at Riley at IU Health.
• Sports injuries. You can be sure your young athlete will receive the best care available from the orthopedic and sports medicine doctors with Riley at IU Health. We are committed to providing advanced care to young athletes in a friendly, professional and responsive manner. Our network of expert doctors team up with skilled physical therapists to provide your child with the treatment he or she needs to get back in the game. Our team excels in a multitude of sports medicine specialties, including:
  • Ankle and foot injuries
  • Dislocations 
  • Fractures 
  • Knee injuries 
  • Low back injuries or pain 
  • Overuse injuries 
  • Shin splints 
  • Shoulder injuries 
  • Stress fractures
• Trauma. Riley at IU Health is one of only 27 children's hospitals in the country to be verified as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons.

As part of our mission to provide patient- and family-centered care, we offer programs that support and educate you and your child about adapting to everyday living, various forms of therapy and managing conditions. Specialized programs offered by the Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Department include:

• Infant and early onset scoliosis center
• Clubfoot program
An amputation and limb deformity program
• Cerebral palsy and spina bifida program, a multidisciplinary clinic coordinated with Riley Developmental Pediatrics at IU Health