Pediatric Orthotics & Prosthetics in Phoenix, AZ
What are Pediatric Orthotics and Prosthetics?
Orthotics are corrective medical devices customized to an individual patient’s particular bone or muscular condition. These conditions include Spina Bifida, cerebral palsy, spinal cord trauma, or strokes. Orthotics can range from a simple shoe insert to a scoliosis brace. Cranial helmets are a common form of pediatric orthotic seen in children in early development.
Prosthetics devices replace a partial or fully missing limb to restore an individual cosmetically, functionally or both. Devices are customized to each patient’s particular needs and goals, ranging from passive, body-powered, and even electric and battery-powered limbs for use in everyday activities or specific motions for occupational or sports-related activities.
Pediatric Prosthetics
Is a Prosthetist a Doctor?
Prosthetists are healthcare professionals who design and fit prostheses (artificial limbs) for amputees with partial or fully missing extremities, including artificial arms and legs.
How Often Do Children Need New Prosthetics?
Bear in mind that children are still developing. Therefore prosthetics will need to be updated and even replaced typically within 18 to 26 months following a prosthetic placement.
Pediatric Orthotics
What is a Pediatric Orthopedist?
Pediatric orthopedists are healthcare professionals who design and fit orthoses (braces, splints, cranial remolding helmets, etc.) for children with bone, nerve, or muscular conditions and disorders.
When Should Kids Get Orthotics?
If a child needs orthotics to support their development, you’ll typically know when your child turns about 2 years of age – whether they’re able to walk by then or not. In rare cases, a child may benefit from orthotics as early as 12 months.
Children normally won’t need custom-designed orthotics until about 6 years of age.
Are Orthotics Bad for Kids?
Orthotic solutions aren’t immediately recommended in every case of a child’s flat feet or abnormal walking patterns. Some conditions may resolve themselves naturally as the child develops without an orthotic device.
What Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services are Available?
With the aid of professionally trained orthotists and prosthetists, there are plenty of solutions for many conditions children in the United States face in the course of their development.
Orthotic shoe inserts, leg braces, back braces, and cranial bands are used to treat many bone, nerve, and muscular conditions while a variety of prosthetic devices are available to restore loss of limb function.
Conditions We Treat
Conditions typically treated in children that are relived or corrected by orthotics or prosthetics include:
- Brachycephaly
- Burns
- Cerebral Palsy
- Club Foot
- Limb Deficiency
- Limb Sparing
- Neurological Disorders
- Pectus Carinatum
- Plagiocephaly
- Scoliosis
- Spina Bifida
- Traumatic Brain Injury
What to Expect from the Pediatric Prosthetic and Orthotic Appointment
Appointments may take up to a few hours, depending on the needs and condition of your child. Make sure your child is wearing comfortable clothing that allows for problematic limbs to be inspected for potential diagnosis of condition and treatment plan.
Explore Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Solutions at Pongratz.
At Pongratz, we offer state-of-the-art customized pediatric orthotics and prosthetics to fit every qualified patient properly. It’s important to get your child the support they need if their development is at risk because of a bone or muscular condition. Call us today to schedule an appointment so we can get your child the support they need!
Need a Second Opinion?
Get Help Now with a Same-Day Appointment
Feeling Frustrated with your Prosthesis or Prosthetists? Pongratz offers a same day appointment for all new prosthetic patients. Request yours today!
With our many facilities across the Valley, all the way to Tucson, we’re always within reach.