Orthopedic Center's Research & Innovations
Boston Children’s Orthopedic Center has a long history of innovation and is home to many firsts in orthopedic treatment.
Spine Division
- extensive experience treating all types of scoliosis and spinal disorders
- pioneers in the adoption of the VEPTR (vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib) and MAGEC (MAGnetic Expansion Control system) procedures
- leading national initiatives to lessen the risk of perioperative spinal infections
- new low-dose imaging systems:
- EOS x-ray system lessens radiation risk with spinal screening and care follow up for scoliosis
- arm facilitates navigation and evaluation of pedicle screw placement for spinal operative stabilization.
Child and Adult Hip Preservation Program
- international leader in hip preservation surgery
- performed over 1,200 periacetabular osteotomies
- collaborated in the development of the dGMERIC MRI scan evaluation of hip joint cartilage and its use in indications for hip preservation surgery
- leading pediatric, adolescent and young adult center for hip arthroscopy surgery (in collaboration with Sports Medicine)
Hand and Orthopedic Upper Extremity Program
- largest in the United States
- provides expertise in advanced techniques of care for complex congenital anomalies, fractures, neurovascular and soft-tissue injuries to the hand and upper extremity
- leaders of a national multi-center research study in brachial plexus birth palsy.
ACL Program
- pioneers in the development of growth-plate sparing ACL surgeries for young athletes
- leaders of landmark basic science research on ACL repair that has progressed to clinical trial
Additional highlights for the Orthopedic Center:
- founders of the first pediatric sports medicine clinic in the nation and leaders in research-based sports injury prevention with 40,000 patient visits every year
- one of the first centers in the nation to use adjuvant chemotherapy and perform limb salvage surgery for patients with osteosarcoma
- the oldest and largest comprehensive center for the care of spina bifida
- Orthopedic Clinical Effectiveness Research Center translates science into care and improves the quality of life of children with musculoskeletal disorders. The Center includes a Quality Safety and Value research team actively involved in Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plans (SCAMPs) and Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) work on increasing value and patient safety in our care delivery for fractures, spinal fusions, hip preservation and sports surgical reconstructions