South Florida Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Pediatric Orthopaedics

We understand the special orthopaedic needs of children

When your tiny loved one needs specialized orthopaedic care, we’re here. Many of us are parents ourselves, and we know that care for complications or injuries in children can be especially stressful for families. We want to make your experience at South Florida Orthopaedics as relaxing as possible as we work with you to listen, assess and create a treatment plan that will have your child moving with the best function possible.

From the tiniest baby to active teens, we treat both congenital and acquired conditions and combine treatments with physical therapy or other care as needed. If surgery is necessary, we want to make sure you and your child are confident in our skills and educated about each procedure.

Meet Our Pediatric Orthopaedic Expert

Mark E. Moran, MD

Pediatric FAQs

A child’s musculoskeletal problems are typically different from those of an adult because children are still growing; and the body’s response to injuries, infections and deformities may be quite different than what would be seen in a full-grown person.

Many young kids have flat feet, toe walking, pigeon toes, bowlegs, and knock-knees. As kids grow, some of these conditions correct themselves without treatment.

Flat feet usually don’t cause problems. Doctors only consider treatment if it becomes painful. Occasional toe walking should not be cause for concern, but kids who walk on their toes almost all the time and continue to do so after age 3 should see a doctor. Children who intoe and trip often may have internal tibial torsion, in which the lower part of the leg is rotated inward. Bowleggedness (also called genu varum) is an exaggerated bending outward of the legs from the knees down that can be inherited. It’s common in infants and, in many cases, corrects itself as a child grows. Most kids show a moderate tendency toward knock-knees (also called genu valgum) between the ages of 3 and 6, as the body goes through a natural alignment shift. Treatment is almost never needed because the legs usually straighten on their own.

Some of the more common conditions treated in our Ortho Injury Walk-in Clinic include fractures (broken bones), sprains, limb pain and unexplained limp.

Same-day or next-day appointments are available by calling us at (772) 288-2400. Our Ortho Injury Walk-in Clinic is located in Tradition at 9401 SW Discovery Way, Suite 101, Port St Lucie, FL 34987. The Ortho Injury Walk-in Clinic hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. We serve patients along Florida’s Treasure Coast, including Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City, Hobe Sound, and Jupiter, as well as Indiantown and Okeechobee.