Education

• Pediatric orthopedists receive about three years more education and training than a regular M.D. A pediatric orthopedist graduates from medical school, completes a residency in orthopedics and undergoes additional training to specialize in pediatric orthopedics.
  
  

Benefits

• Pediatric orthopedists know how to examine children, who sometimes can't articulate their symptoms or won't respond to traditional exam techniques.
  
  

Newborns

• Some pediatric orthopedists specialize in treating newborns with conditions like spina bifida, in which the spine doesn't completely close during development.
  
  

Special Skills

• Pediatric orthopedists understand how problems like scoliosis and clubfoot impact growing bones and use specialized treatment techniques.
  
  

Fun Fact

• Most pediatric orthopedists decorate their offices with children in mind and have child-size equipment that isn't as intimidating to children.