John McCabe Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer | Shriners Hospitals For Children St Louis
John McCabe Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer | Shriners Hospitals For Children St Louis
When children require orthopedic care, the choice of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon over a general orthopedic surgeon is crucial. Pediatric conditions such as clubfoot, limb deficiency, and scoliosis demand specialized attention. In the United States, while there are over 27,000 orthopedic surgeons, only about 1,200 specialize in pediatrics.
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons undergo additional training beyond medical school and residency. Vishwas Talwalkar, M.D., chief of staff at Shriners Children’s Lexington, emphasized his passion for treating children: “I realized that taking care of children was a lot more interesting and fun for me.” Christine Betancourt, PAC from Shriners Children’s Erie, shared her journey into pediatric orthopedics due to personal experiences with musculoskeletal injuries.
Betancourt highlighted the unique needs of children: “Kids are not just small adults.” Their growing bones require different treatment approaches compared to adults. Dr. Talwalkar added that understanding child cognitive development allows pediatric specialists to address issues regular surgeons might overlook.
The complexity of treating fractures in children lies in their growth plates. Betancourt explained the importance of appropriate diagnosis to avoid overtreatment or undertreatment. Dr. Talwalkar noted the potential complications if interventions affect limb growth or cause deformities.
Pediatric specialists also focus on developing rapport with young patients and their families. Dr. Talwalkar described his approach: “The most important thing is you have to get down to their level.” Both he and Betancourt value long-term relationships with patients and their families.
Shriners Children’s hospitals provide comprehensive care under one roof through multidisciplinary teams including therapists and social workers. This approach simplifies parents' lives by offering various services in one location.
Dr. Talwalkar expressed satisfaction with his career choice: “I think it's a career that – if I had to do it all over again – I would choose it in a heartbeat.”
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