Orthopaedic Surgery

At CHOC, we are dedicated to creating a healing environment that allows patients of all ages to feel comfortable and at ease—whether they are staying with us inpatient or visiting outpatient for an appointment or treatment.

Our accommodations combine state-of-the-art facilities with the comforts of home to provide those staying in the hospital a healing and supportive environment. Specially trained nurses are equipped to care for patients who are preparing for or recovering from orthopaedic procedures, and the unit has easy access to all the coordinated services of the hospital, including a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and a four-bed casting room.

The Tidwell Procedure Center at CHOC features some of the most advanced technologies available while providing children the comforts of specialized pediatric care. Our fully integrated surgery and procedure rooms are designed to provide patients with the very best in safety and precision. Our orthopaedic surgeons utilize the O-arm® Surgical Imaging System, a multi-dimensional surgical imaging platform that is optimized for use in spine, orthopaedic and trauma-related surgeries. It provides real-time, intra-operative imaging of a patient’s anatomy with high quality images and a large field-of-view in both two and three dimensions. Learn more about surgery at CHOC.

Child life specialists who are devoted to orthopaedic patients can help normalize the hospital environment and help them overcome pain, stress and anxiety. Before a procedure, a child life specialist will meet with a patient to tour areas of the hospital and may use dolls, toys, videos and books to educate them with age appropriate information about the hospital experience. They are often at the patient’s side using deep breathing exercises, guided imagery and other calming techniques during procedures and surgery. Learn more about our child life services.

Knee Ligament Repair/Reconstruction

Our orthopaedic surgeons perform knee surgery to repair injured or torn ligaments, including the ACL. Learn more about having knee ligament surgery at CHOC.

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a procedure used for joint conditions. Originally, arthroscopy was a diagnostic tool only, used primarily for planning a standard open surgery. However, because of the development of new instruments and advanced surgical techniques, we are able to treat many conditions with arthroscopic surgery. Learn more about arthroscopy.

Spinal Fusion (Scoliosis Surgery)

When surgery is necessary to treat severe curvature of the spine, we offer the very latest methods and surgical expertise, all in a setting specially designed to treat kids and teens. We use growing rods for younger children who are still growing, and spinal fusion for teens who are near the end of their growth period. Learn what to expect before, during and after scoliosis surgery.