The orthopedic specialists at Riley Children’s Health are committed to providing infants and children of all ages leading-edge musculoskeletal care with superior outcomes. Utilizing advanced diagnostic and surgical technology, our team will work with you to consult, diagnose and treat a variety of orthopedic conditions. This includes scoliosis and spinal deformity, clubfoot and other foot deformities, developmental hip dysplasia, musculoskeletal tumors, traumatic injuries, sports injuries, neuromuscular conditions, limb length discrepancy, skeletal malformations and hip disorders.
Meet Our Team of Orthopedic Surgeons
Our providers collaborate with specialists from other departments and programs to ensure we are able to provide well-rounded care for all orthopedic concerns.
Tyler W. Christman, DO, MS
Dr. Christman specializes in pediatric orthopedic surgery, with areas of focus and clinical interests including pediatric spinal deformity (early onset, adolescent, neuromuscular, congenital), orthopedic trauma, and complex hip reconstruction.
Daniel F. Drake, MD
Dr. Drake specializes in pediatric orthopedic surgery, with areas of focus and clinical interests including conditions related to the spine in children, teenagers and young adults, along with fracture care related to traumatic injuries.
Aki S. Puryear, MD
Dr. Puryear specializes in pediatric orthopedic surgery, with areas of focus and clinical interests including complex spinal deformity and complex limb deformity.
Our Team
Our providers collaborate with specialists from other departments and programs to ensure we are able to provide well-rounded care for all orthopedic concerns.
Specialized Programs
Specialized Programs
Orthopedic Spine Program
Expertise & Collaboration
- Three fellowship-trained pediatric surgeons specializing in spine and a team of pediatric orthopedic trained advanced practice providers (APPs) who work closely together to provide leading-edge, patient- and family-centered orthopedic care
- Supported by a dedicated team of pediatric specialists including, but not limited to, anesthesiology, acute pain management, radiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation and developmental pediatrics
- Committed to advancing research and innovation and is actively involved in a variety of surgical performance and study groups including Pediatric Spine Study Group and Setting Scoliosis Straight
Technology & Advancements
- EOSedge uses new Flex Dose technology to modulate radiation throughout scans using body morphology. Flex Dose delivers up to an 80% overall radiation reduction compared to the same acquisition without Flex Dose.
- Use of O-arm, which produces high quality 2D and 3D anatomical images, with navigated placement of pedicle screws in scoliosis surgery to improve accuracy
- One of the few facilities in the region to provide casting for infantile or early-onset scoliosis
- Specializing in growth-friendly constructs for early on-set scoliosis, including traditional growth rods, Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR) and MAGnetic Expansion Control (MAGEC) rods
- Our innovative surgical techniques include the use of growing spine constructs, such as the MAGEC rod, to minimize spinal fusion, preserve spine motion and achieve better patient outcomes
Quality & Safety
- 0% blood transfusion rate in surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with moderate curves
- 1.38% surgical site infection rate following spinal fusion for scoliosis
- 0% reoperation rate for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and neuromuscular scoliosis within 90 days of initial surgery
Learn more about our additional programs below or view our annual report.
Pediatric Orthopedic Oncology
Three fellowship-trained orthopedic oncologists diagnose and treat benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.
Cerebral Palsy Program
Riley Children’s provides multidisciplinary pediatric expertise, including physical medicine and rehabilitation for patients who need complex care.
Pediatrics Sports Program
Focused on sports and acute injuries, this multidisciplinary program is facilitated by a pediatric sports medicine surgeon, primary care sports medicine physician and a pediatric physical therapist.
Movement Disorders Clinic
Multi-disciplinary approach focusing on treatment of various movement disorders with access to state-of-the-art 3D Gait Analysis.