Orthopaedic Institute for Children Dedicates New Pediatric Scoliosis Center

Congresswoman Karen Bass Joins in the Ceremony as OIC Continues to
Create Comfortable Environments to Treat Children with Specialized
Medical Needs

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Orthopaedic Institute for Children has dedicated a new Pediatric
Scoliosis Center designed to diagnose and treat scoliosis so children
with this deformity can lead normal, happy and productive lives.
Congresswoman Karen Bass (D) of the 37th district was on hand to
participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with OIC President and
CEO Anthony A. Scaduto, M.D., and other physicians and clinicians from
the center.

“OIC’s work with the children of Los Angeles is another great example of
what makes Los Angeles such a caring and wonderful community,” said
Congresswoman Bass. “Their physicians, researchers and entire staff know
that children are our future; and we should all do everything we can to
give every child a chance to live out his or her life in health and
happiness. This new center is just one more ingredient toward making
that a reality.”

The new Pediatric Scoliosis Center is the third Center of Excellence OIC
has dedicated in less than 12 months, following the opening of the
Ambulatory Surgery Center and the Center for Sports Medicine. These
state-of-the-art centers are part of OIC’s commitment to develop
dedicated spaces for the treatment of special medical conditions and
patient needs. While this is increasingly found in a traditional
inpatient acute care setting, it is unique in the ambulatory space and
is indicative of the commitment OIC is making to patients and their
families.

“It is important to create comfortable environments where children and
their parents can interact with others who have a similar diagnosis and
where physicians and nurses can provide 100 percent of their focus in a
given clinical area,” said Dr. Scaduto. “We believe that this approach
leads to optimum patient care and a greatly improved patient and family
experience.”

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often
during the growth spurt just before puberty. While scoliosis can be
caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the
cause of most scoliosis is unknown. Most cases of scoliosis are mild,
but some children develop spine deformities that continue to get more
severe as they grow. Severe scoliosis can be disabling; and an
especially severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space within the
chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly.

At OIC a team of providers from surgeons to nurse practitioners and
physical therapists work together to care for children with scoliosis
and other spine deformities.

“Scoliosis is a treatable condition, and it should not be allowed to
become a disabling one,” said Dr. Scaduto, whose specialty is scoliosis
and spinal deformity. “Treatment options range from observation and
orthopaedic bracing to (in some cases) surgery. When treated it should
not affect the child’s ability to lead a normal life.”

About Orthopaedic Institute for Children
Orthopaedic
Institute for Children (OIC) was founded in 1911 as Los Angeles
Orthopaedic Hospital. Focused solely on musculoskeletal conditions in
children, Orthopaedic Institute for Children receives 60,000 patient
visits each year. In alliance with UCLA Health and with the support of
the OIC Foundation, we advance pediatric orthopaedics worldwide through
outstanding patient care, medical education and research. Our locations
in downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood and Calexico treat the
full spectrum of pediatric orthopaedic disorders and injuries. For more
information, visit us at ortho-institute.org.

Contacts

Orthopaedic Institute for Children
Camille Strickland, 213-742-1501
CStrickland@mednet.ucla.edu