Nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s Hospital or Orange County Orthopaedic Institute cares for more than 10,000 pediatric patients annually and specializes in treatment of spine conditions, sports injuries, broken bones, muscular dystrophy, spasticity, musculoskeletal tumors and disorders of the hand, foot and hip. The institute strives to be at the forefront of pediatric orthopedic research, with more than 20 ongoing projects aimed at improving therapeutic treatments and outcomes. The program is pioneering innovations in scoliosis surgery through integration of AI-powered modeling and customized spinal rods to enhance surgical planning and predict postoperative alignment. For nonoperative scoliosis cases, the hospital’s specialists incorporate AI and machine learning to improve bracing designs and employ the Schroth method to strengthen spine-adjacent muscles through targeted physical therapy. In sports medicine, the institute employs advanced surgical techniques such as trochleoplasty and use of InternalBrace suture tape implants to improve knee surgery outcomes and prevent recurrent dislocation. Latest technologies, including a high-speed motion capture system, provide detailed gait and motion analysis for young athletes. The hospital’s alternative pain management strategies, such as use of indwelling catheter pumps and long-acting nerve blocks, minimizes reliance on narcotics, enabling young athletes to recover more swiftly and with less discomfort.
