Pediatric Orthopedics

OSF Pediatric Orthopedics has everything you need for your child’s orthopedic care. With access to our state-of-the-art surgery center at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, our team delivers advanced expertise and kid-friendly care for everything from routine needs to complex conditions.

What is pediatric orthopedics?

Pediatric orthopedics is a medical specialty that focuses on treating diseases, injuries or conditions involving bones and muscles in children. This includes joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

Parents and child girl in meeting with doctor

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Depending on your child’s condition, our team may provide care in the hospital or in our convenient clinic. Most appointments in the clinic typically last 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the specific treatments or tests your child needs.

During your visit, your child’s care team will likely perform an X-ray to get a clear picture of their bones and joints. This can often be done right in the clinic, so your doctor can provide recommended treatments or therapies right away.

Whether your child needs follow-up care, a cast, physical therapy or surgery, our team will guide you through every step. If your child needs a cast, our office offers a wide variety of colors and materials, so they can choose an option as unique as their personality.

Medical Team Having Meeting In Hospital Corridor

Meet Your Care Team

Every surgeon on our children’s orthopedic surgery team is pediatric fellowship trained. That means they have advanced education and experience focused on congenital and pediatric conditions and are experts in treating the growing bones, joints and muscles of children.

Our mid-level providers and office staff are dedicated to providing developmentally appropriate care. Your child will be surrounded by a team who knows how to make them feel comfortable, all while delivering exceptional care.

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Foot & Ankle

Accessory Navicular
Cavovarus foot
Charcot Marie Tooth
Clubfoot
Flatfoot
Metatarsus adductus
Sever’s apophysitis
Toe walking
Traumatic injuries, such as fractures & sprains

Hand, Wrist & Elbow

Ganglion cysts
Nursemaid’s elbow
Tendonitis
Traumatic injuries, such as fractures & sprains
Trigger thumbs

Hip & Pelvis

Hip dysplasia
Legg-Calve-Perthes
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Snapping hip
Traumatic injuries, such as fractures & sprains

Leg

Discoid Meniscus
In-toeing, out-toeing, bowlegs & knock knees
Leg length discrepancy
Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease
Patellar instability
Traumatic injuries, such as fractures & sprains

Musculoskeletal Infections

Abscess
Myositis
Osteomyelitis
Pyomyositis
Septic arthritis

Shoulder

Traumatic injuries, such as fractures & sprains

Spine

Complex Diagnoses

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Why Choose Us for Your Child’s Care

When it comes to our orthopedics services, your child will receive care from a skilled, compassionate team focused on getting the best results. We offer seamless access to pediatric rehab services, as well as extra support like child life specialists, pediatric radiologists and anesthesiologists when needed. Our expert surgeons specialize in pediatrics and deliver exceptional surgical outcomes.

Specialized Pediatric Care Around the Clock

Our pediatric orthopedic providers are available in the OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center emergency department 24/7. This ensures your child’s orthopedic needs are met at any time, day or night, with continuous, specialized care you can trust.

As the first state designated Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in downstate Illinois, we have the resources, expertise and technology to handle the most severe and complex injuries, ensuring your child is in expert hands.

Discover Emergency Care for Kids

Accessible Pediatric Rehabilitation Therapy

Our pediatric rehab services team is fully integrated with your child’s orthopedic care, making it easy for your family to get the specialized care your child needs. We offer both physical and occupational therapy, for a seamless, all-in-one approach to your child’s care journey.

Access Therapies

Supportive Child Life

Your child’s inpatient care team includes child life specialists who can provide emotional support before, during or after procedures using age-appropriate play and distraction to help manage their anxiety.

Explore Child Life Services

Orthopedic Surgery Outcomes

The pediatric orthopedic surgery team is dedicated to delivering high-quality surgical outcomes for your child. Consistently ranked above average by U.S. News and World Report for treating complex fractures and preventing infections, we provide expert care that you can trust for your child.

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program NSQIP Participation

As an American College of Surgeons (ACS) Surgical Quality Partner, our pediatric orthopedic surgeons adhere to rigorous standards of care. This means we’re committed to better clinical outcomes for your family, backed by data and evidence-based practices.

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Young nurse helping to walk to little girl with broken leg

Tips for Orthopedic Care

Whether your child is dealing with an injury or needs surgery, our goal is to make your family’s orthopedic journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. We offer helpful information on injury prevention, recovery and more.

Get Orthopedic Tips

Preparing for Your Child’s Surgery

As you prepare for your child’s surgery, we’re here to help you feel confident and prepared. Your family will have all the information you need before, during and after the procedure to ensure a smooth experience.

Help Your Child Prepare

Does my child need a referral to see an orthopedic doctor?

Children who need orthopedic care will often be referred by a pediatrician or other specialist who may be managing other aspects of the child’s care. While a referral is not always required, many insurance companies do require one to cover the service. It’s a good idea to check with your child’s doctor and your insurance provider before making an appointment.

Is ankle surgery considered orthopedic?

Yes, orthopedic surgeons do perform ankle surgery.

Do urgent cares offer orthopedics care?

Many urgent care clinics offer X-rays and can treat short-term orthopedic issues. However, most of these cases require follow-up care with an orthopedic provider.

Are X-rays done in the office or hospital?

X-rays can be performed in both the clinic setting and in the hospital.

Do I have to use an OSF HealthCare hospital for the procedure?

Our pediatric orthopedic surgeons only perform surgeries at OSF HealthCare facilities. This is because of the connection to OSF Children’s Hospital and the additional resources available to our patients.

Are foot and ankle conditions treated by orthopedic surgeons?

Foot and ankle conditions are treated by both orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists. Orthopedic surgeons specialize in complex conditions like fractures, bunions, flat feet and heel pain. Podiatrists manage routine foot care, such as skin problems, ingrown toenails and mild structural conditions, providing basic surgical and non-surgical care, as well as preventative treatments.

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Resources

External Pediatric Orthopedics Resources

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Ask for a Referral

Need care for your child’s muscles or bones? Contact your child’s provider about a referral to pediatric orthopedics.

Find a Provider

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Featured Providers

Jeffrey W. Akeson, MD

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery

Peoria

Jennifer A. Nelson, APRN

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery

Peoria

Jose M. Ramirez Gomez, MD

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery

Peoria

Leah Cobb, MD

Orthopedic Surgery

Peoria

Michelle M. Prince, MD

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery

Peoria

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Locations

Peoria, IL

420 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois - Orthopedics

Peoria, IL

8600 Illinois Route 91

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois - Orthopedics

Pediatric Orthopedics

What is pediatric orthopedics?

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Meet Your Care Team