Pediatric Orthotics & Prostheses in Arizona

What are Pediatric Orthotics and Prostheses?

Orthotics are corrective medical devices customized to your child’s particular bone or muscular condition. 

Prostheses for your child are designed and fitted to restore limb loss, sometimes cosmetically and many times functionally, so that they can still perform tasks that otherwise wouldn’t be as accessible for them to accomplish.

Conditions we treat in children that are relieved or corrected by custom orthotics or prostheses include:

• Brachycephaly
• Burns
• Cerebral Palsy
• Club Foot
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
• Juvenile Arthritis
• Limb Deficiency
• Limb Sparing
• Neurological Disorders
• Pectus Carinatum
• Plagiocephaly 
• Scoliosis
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Our customized orthotics range from simple shoe inserts to scoliosis brace. Cranial orthosis for infants needing head remolding is also a common form of pediatric orthotic seen in children during early development.

Customized Orthoses and Prostheses for Children

We specialize in custom-molded and off-the-shelf orthotics and prostheses for infants, adolescents, and teens. With a fully equipped fabrication laboratory in our Phoenix office, we can quickly accelerate turnaround times and have patients fit with their custom devices.

We also welcome walk-in patients if you have a child with pressing needs. Below is a list of custom and off-the-shelf items we provide for all service levels.

Our custom orthoses include:

• Cranial Remolding Orthosis
• Foot Orthotics
• Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)
• Supra Malleolar Orthosis (SMO)
• Knee Orthosis (KO)
• Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO)
• Hip Orthosis
• Hip Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (HKAFO)
• Dynamic Knee Orthosis
• Dynamic Ankle Orthosis
• Lumbo Sacral Orthosis (LSO)
• Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis (TLSO)
• HALO
• Cervical Orthosis (CO)
• Cervical Thoracic Orthosis (CTO)
• Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis (CTLSO)
• Finger Orthosis
• Hand Orthosis
• Wrist Hand Orthosis
• Benik Hand Splints
• Elbow Wrist Hand Orthosis
• Shoulder Orthosis
• Dynamic Elbow Orthosis
• Burn Garments
• Derotation Straps
• SPIO Compression Garments
• Pavlik Harness
• Bracing: Pectus, Sports, Spinal/Scoliosis, Fracture

Cranial Banding

STARband cranial remolding orthoses offer a wide range of designs that help children with various degrees and types of head deformities. In fact, STARband is “the first cranial remolding orthosis with FDA clearance available to O&P practitioners across the United States and around the globe.”

For our cranial banding services, we offer:

• Free Consultation & Follow-Up Visits
• In-Network Coverage with Most Insurance
• One Band Guarantee!

Pediatric Bracing

Most of our pediatric bracings, including sports, spinal, pectus, and fracture bracing, are fabricated in-house by our skilled orthotic technicians.

Sports Bracing

Custom-designed, dynamic ankle and shoe orthotics from Cascade DAFO give your child the ongoing support they need for their day-to-day activities, and it’s important to get the fitting perfect right at the start.

Spinal/Scoliosis Bracing

Spinal braces from Spinal Technology are precisely measured to your child’s needs and shape, including curvature analysis, giving your child the best possible fit right off the bat.

Pectus Bracing

We provide state-of-the-art pectus bracing by Pectus emBrace, which is FDA-registered and designed for treating Pectus Carinatum. It works by “implementing pressure gradients with Dynamic Force Plate technology to provide corrective compression over the affected Pectus site.”

Fracture Bracing

We offer fracture bracing for various injuries involving a fractured bone, including those of the wrist, hand, upper arm, thigh, shin, and collarbone.

What is a Pediatric Orthotist?

Pediatric orthotists are healthcare professionals who design and fit orthoses (braces, splints, cranial remolding or orthosis, etc.) for infants and adolescents with bone, nerve, or muscular conditions and disorders.

When Should Kids Get Orthotics?

It all depends on your child’s particular situation. Some infants may need a cranial orthosis for remolding a misshapen skull. Regarding other orthotic devices, you may know as early as two years old if your child needs support for body alignment, walking, etc.

Are Orthotics Bad for Kids?

Orthotic solutions aren’t immediately recommended for every case of flat feet, abnormal walking patterns, or even misshapen heads. Some conditions may resolve themselves naturally as the child develops without an orthotic device. 

That being said, professional orthotists will provide your child with orthotics designed to your child’s particular body structure and needs, making them only comfortable and helpful to your child and their ongoing development.

Pediatric Prostheses

We offer a wide selection of upper and lower-limb prostheses that are made with care and comfort in mind.

Upper Limb Prostheses

• Finger Prostheses
• Partial Hand Prostheses
• Wrist Disarticulation
• Below Elbow Prostheses
• Above Elbow Prostheses
• Shoulder Disarticulation
• Immediate Post-Op Protector
• Immediate Post-Op Prosthesis
• Forequarter

Lower Limb Prostheses

• Toe Filler
• Partial Foot
• Symes/Chopart
• Below Knee Prostheses
• Above Knee Prostheses
• Knee Disarticulation
• Hip Disarticulation

How Often Do Children Need New Prostheses?

Bear in mind that children are still developing. Therefore, prostheses will need to be updated and replaced within 18 to 26 months following a prosthesis placement.

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.

What to Expect from an Appointment with a Pediatric Orthotist or Prosthetist

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 the condition and treatment plan.

Free Consultation for Custom Pediatric Orthotics and Prostheses at Pongratz

We offer state-of-the-art, customized pediatric orthotics and prostheses that comfortably fit your infant or adolescent while supporting their success and ongoing development. 

If your child’s development is at risk because of a bone or muscular condition, it’s important to get them the support they need. 

Call us today for a free consultation, no prescription required, to schedule an appointment so we can get your child the support they need.