Lower Extremity Program

Resources for Families

patient and family in exam room We believe that exceptional medical care begins with excellent customer service. We understand that going to the hospital or doctor’s office can be a pretty scary experience for children and parents alike. So, from the moment you step into our doors, we strive to make your overall patient experience as pleasant as possible by providing excellent customer service throughout all aspects of our department.

This includes preparing your child for a difficult procedure or using coping techniques during a procedure to reduce pain, fear and anxiety.

Our doctors, nurses, specialists and other staff are not only highly-skilled, they’re also expert listeners. Each one of our staff members will make sure to communicate with you every step of the way during your child’s visit. This approach ensures that you are fully aware of all aspects of your child’s condition, recommended procedures, prescribed medicines and their potential side-effects.

Resources

Publications and Research

View a list of publications, authored or co-authored by members of the Lower Extremity team.

Ongoing orthopedic research.

Brochures and fact sheets


Hip Healthy Swaddling	What is Hip Dysplasia?	Preventing Hip Dysplasia

Clubfoot patient information (pdf 132kb)

Your visit

Planning a visit to the Orthopedic Center? Check out our Your Orthopedic Visit page for helpful information on what you can expect.

Cast care and maintenance

Patient stories

Out of Africa, and into your hearts
The Sun Nov 29, 2012
Soon, Theresa Boateng, the 15-year-old Ghanian girl living with two club feet, may be physically be able to jump for joy to express the emotion she's feeling now...

Step by step, a miracle in the making
The Sun Nov 24, 2012
As Theresa Boateng, the teenage girl with the doubly deformed feet , listened anxiously from a poor village on Africa's west coast, the call ...

After surgeries, Gloversville teen strides toward a career in health care
The Leader-Herald Oct 21, 2012
Jenn Sprung was an avid field hockey player when she learned she had bilateral hip dysplasia -- prompting her to undergo two career-ending surgeries within a year. But the experience gave her a new perspective on life, and even inspired her to pursue college in hopes of specializing in pediatric oncology

Bone up on bone health
Thriving Oct 19, 2012
October 19th is World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day, so it's time to bone up on bone health. Though we've all heard the basics of why kids should drink milk and build strong bones, this day serves as a reminder of why it's so important.

Helping a teenage athlete stay hip
Thriving, Aug 22, 2012
It was another day at field hockey practice for Jenn Sprung. The 14-year-old from Gloversville, NY was running and playing with her team when a sharp pain through her right leg made her stop.

Angela McNeeley: Developmental hip dysplasia
After being referred to an orthopedic doctor at Boston Children's Hospital, Angela was diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip, which means she had a problem with formation of her hip joint. She was 5 years old at the time.

Saving Sydney's bones from breaking
Ivanhoe Broadcast News reports on Boston Children’s patient, Sydney Pardi, who has osteogenesis imperfect and is treated by Samantha Spencer, MD. Dr. Spencer inserted telescopic rods into Sydney’s legs to help support her brittle bones and give her a better quality of life.

Going above and beyond for patients

Caitlynne McGaff: Choosing the challenge

Gracie Lavigne: Saving Gracie

Katie Brennan: "Hip" to knee pain

For more patient stories, and news articles, featuring our orthopedic team, please visit our Ortho News page.