Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) is one of the nation’s leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. As a pediatric orthopedic hospital, TSRHC specializes in the treatment of orthopedic conditions, including scoliosis, clubfoot, hand disorders, hip disorders and limb length differences. TSRHC offers on-site orthotics and prosthetics care to children who have special orthopedic needs.
| Orthopedic Conditions |
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a progressive condition causing the spine to curve or twist into a “C” or “S” shape. Signs and symptoms of scoliosis include uneven shoulders and waistline discrepancies. The doctors at TSRHC developed a new method for the treatment of scoliosis called the TSRH® Spinal System, a surgical instrument used to help correct spinal deformities that does not require postoperative bracing or casting, thereby reducing recovery time. In 2005, TSRHC modified its original spinal system to create the TSRH® SILO™5.5 Spinal System, which is smaller, more versatile and allows for improved treatment of scoliosis. In 2007, TSRHC researchers also identified the first gene associated with idiopathic scoliosis – CHD7. Researchers at TSRHC’s Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay/Martha and Pat Beard Center for Excellence in Spine Research continue to make strides in research that could lay the groundwork for better understanding of the condition and possibly hasten the development of preventative measures.
Hip Disorders
Hip dysplasia and Legg-Perthes are just a few of the many conditions that affect a child’s hip joint. The hip joint consists of a ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) joint where the femoral head articulates or sits inside. Hip conditions can affect one or both of the ball and socket areas, and some hip conditions are apparent from birth. TSRHC orthopedists treat these conditions and many others using a multidisciplinary team of hospital staff to provide the best medical care to their patients. |
| Hand Disorders |
Congenital Hand Disorders
The physicians at TSRHC treat many children born with hand disorders. Hand differences present at birth include missing fingers or thumbs, too many fingers or upper limb differences. TSRHC also treats children with nerve injuries or who need reconstruction of an upper limb due to trauma.
Limb Length Discrepancies
Limb Lengthening is a surgical procedure that can be used to replace missing bone or correct deformities in bone structure. The surgical technique was originally developed by Professor Gavril A. Ilizarov in Russia in 1951 to treat WWII veterans. TSRHC modified Ilizarov’s creation with astounding results and doctors can now lengthen bones up to six inches. Physicians at TSRHC use their modified version of the Ilizarov treatment method, the TRUE/LOK™ External Fixation System, to treat patients with a variety of limb length discrepancies every year. |
| Neurological Disorders |
| The Neurology department at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children provides care for orthopedic patients who also have related neurological disorders and neuromuscular diseases. Because a physical orthopedic condition can be the result of an underlying neurological disorder, patients admitted to the hospital’s orthopedic clinic may be referred to the Neurology department as well. TSRHC staff are active in research aimed at improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of neuromuscular diseases, childhood motor disorders, tuberous sclerosis, holoprosencephaly and other related brain disorders. |
| Learning Disorders |
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is one specific type of learning disorder that affects approximately 10 percent of all children. Those diagnosed with dyslexia have trouble connecting sounds to letter symbols. TSRHC’s Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders is internationally recognized in the field of learning disorders. The center provides academic assessment, dyslexia intervention laboratory, dyslexia therapist training, educational outreach and a developmental-behavioral pediatric fellowship program. Children ages 5 through 14 with suspected dyslexia or other academic learning disorders are eligible. |
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