A new pediatric orthopedic program brings many services under one proof.
Two children with very different challenges show how a newly launched Pediatric Orthopedic Multidisciplinary Program at the Children’s Health network of RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) can change kids’ lives—and improve their future outlooks.
John Evans, a then-13-year-old who loves fishing, was helping his dad prepare a moored boat for a storm when he sliced his index finger while trying to cut a zip tie with a filet knife. Children’s Health pediatric orthopedic surgeon Deidre Bielicka, MD, a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, recognized how serious the injury was: John had cut both his tendon and nerve in a worrisome location where adhesions could form and limit John’s finger function.
Dr. Bielicka surgically repaired both the tendon and nerve. John then went on to receive extensive occupational therapy at Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) to help his tendons heal, restore motion and regain use of his hand. He’s now back to activities such as fishing and sports. The other patient, James Martin, uses a wheelchair and has limited muscle function. He came to CSH wanting to improve capability in his right arm to help with everyday tasks such as schoolwork, eating and riding a bike. James first received occupational therapy for about nine months to loosen tightness in his hand and improve motion. Dr. Bielicka then performed surgery that further improved his ability to use his wrist and fingers and allowed him to meet his goals.
“One of the challenges in treating children with complex medical issues is that they often require a lot of different doctors,” Dr. Bielicka says.
“Our goal is to put not just the doctors but the therapists and everyone needed for comprehensive care under one roof. That allows us to see those patients together and coordinate their care in a way that hasn’t been possible in New Jersey before.”
Teams of Specialists
The new state-of-the-art Pediatric Orthopedic Multidisciplinary Program is a partnership of CSH and the Pediatric Orthopedics program at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (BMSCH), whose physicians are part of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. The groundbreaking initiative provides comprehensive, coordinated care in one location for children with complex neuromuscular and orthopedic conditions.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital ranks nationally in orthopedics and is one of the top-ranked children’s hospitals in New Jersey.
Located in East Brunswick, the program offers families the convenience of having multiple specialists working together to ensure the best outcomes for children. RWJBH’s Children’s Health network hospitals are recognized among the nation’s best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
The Pediatric Orthopedic Multidisciplinary Program is designed to treat conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, improper hip development, scoliosis and fractures, along with other orthopedic and neuromuscular disorders, including, for example, joint disorders, upper limb congenital differences and tendon repairs.
“We are thrilled to offer families this unique and comprehensive approach to pediatric orthopedic care,” says pediatric orthopedic surgeon Thomas McPartland, MD. “By bringing together specialists from across disciplines, we are able to provide the highest level of care in a convenient and supportive environment.”
The multidisciplinary pediatric orthopedic team includes experts from various specialties such as orthopedic surgery, physiatry, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Specialists together develop individualized care plans using the latest evidence-based techniques and cutting-edge technologies such as EOS imaging and gait analysis.
“This new partnership brings together nationally recognized experts in surgical and nonsurgical treatments,” says Colin O’Reilly, DO, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, CSH. “Families can expect expert guidance on everything from mobility equipment and medical tone management to spinal deformity correction and limb reconstruction.”
Treating the Whole Child
“We’re really excited about having a multidisciplinary program for kids who have multiple different problems,” Dr. Bielicka says. “With all services in one location, this partnership makes care easier not only for parents and kids but also for clinicians, who are able to communicate better with each other and with families to make sure we’re taking care of the whole kid and not just individual aspects of a child.”
For example, CSH therapists with advanced training work closely with RWJBH pediatric orthopedic surgeons to complete custom splinting, orthosis fabrication and casting as needed for infants through young adults as part of their treatment or postsurgical needs.
“The multidisciplinary nature of this program allows us to deliver more family-centric, holistic and personalized care,” says Ferd Ferrer, MD, Chief Pediatric Officer at RWJBH. “By collaborating closely across specialties, we can tailor treatments to each child’s unique needs and maximize their functional outcomes.”
Children receiving care through the program have access to a full spectrum of services, including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, surgery at BMSCH and ongoing physical and occupational therapy from CSH. Orthotists will also be on-site to address patients’ bracing needs.
James, reflecting on how the Pediatric Orthopedic Multidisciplinary Program’s coordinated services helped him meet his goals and function better in daily activities, sums it up this way: “In this kid’s heart, for me and my mom, [the program] has been a lifesaver.”
Learn more about the Children’s Health network at RWJBarnabas Health, or request an appointment.
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