Expert Pediatric Care
For Growing Children
Children aren’t little adults—they deserve specialized care. Our board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeons provide compassionate, expert treatment tailored to your child’s unique needs.
Pediatric Orthopedic Conditions We Treat
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolysis is a stress fracture (pars defect) in the lower lumbar spine, often from repetitive hyperextension in young athletes (e.g., gymnastics, football); if untreated, it can progress to spondylolisthesis (forward slippage of a vertebra); common cause of low back pain in adolescents, managed with rest, bracing, physical therapy, or surgery in progressive/high-grade cases.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis occurs when the spine develops a sideways and rotational curve. It is most common in children and adolescents. There are several different treatment options available for scoliosis depending on the severity and the age of the patient – this may include observation, specialized physical therapy and surgery. At Seaview, our specialists, Dr. Paul Haynes, Dr. Christopher Collins, and Dr. Jon Lentz specialize in pediatric scoliosis treatments that have been developed to improve safety and both surgical and conservative interventions.
Sports Injuries and Overuse Conditions
Many children participate in some type of sport or athletic activity. While sports can be a great form of exercise for your children, they can also be more susceptible to certain types of injuries. Knowing how to spot these pediatric sports injuries and working with a highly qualified pediatric orthopedic team can ensure that your child is well taken care of in the event that an injury does occur. Includes ACL tears, tendonitis, or growth plate stress injuries in young athletes; treated with conservative care or arthroscopic surgery when needed.
Clubfoot: Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus)
The most common congenital orthopedic defect. A congenital deformity where one or both feet are twisted inward and downward at birth; typically corrected early with casting (Ponseti method), bracing and a minor surgery.
Sprains and Strains
Injuries to ligaments (sprains) or muscles/tendons (strains) from overuse or trauma; common in active kids and often managed with rest, ice, and physical therapy.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Painful inflammation below the kneecap due to growth-related stress in adolescents; usually self-resolves with activity modification and supportive care.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
The ball at the top of the thigh bone slips off the growth plate in older children/teens; requires prompt surgical pinning to prevent hip damage.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (Perthes)
Temporary loss of blood supply to the femoral head causing bone softening; treated with bracing, activity limits, or surgery to preserve hip function.
Bowlegs (Genu Varum) or Knock-Knees (Genu Valgum)
Alignment variations in young children that are often physiologic (normal during growth) but may need evaluation if persistent or severe.
Flat Feet or Other Foot Deformities
Common issues like flexible flatfoot or pigeon toes; many resolve naturally, but persistent cases may need orthotics or intervention.
Fractures (broken bones)
Children commonly sustain fractures during play, sports participation, or traumatic incidents like car accidents. If your child breaks a bone, prompt treatment is necessary, as children are treated quite differently than adults. Unique pediatric fractures such as growth plate fractures require expert care in both diagnosis and treatment.
Limb Length Discrepancies (LLD or Anisomelia)
Unequal arm or leg lengths. This may be congenital from a multitude of syndromes or acquired from injuries to growth plates such as infections or trauma. There are multiple treatment options to include bracing and inserts to surgical intervention to address significant discrepancies.
Skeletal Dysplasias (Genetic Bone Growth Disorders)
Over 400 types causing abnormal bone/cartilage development, often leading to short stature, deformities, or joint issues. Managed by multidisciplinary teams with bracing, surgery, or growth hormone in select cases.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Disease)
OI is a condition causing fragile bones that are prone to frequent fractures. Managed in a multidisciplinary team often with medication, bracing, observation, physical therapy and at times surgery.
Cerebral Palsy-Related Orthopedic Issues
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage or abnormalities in the parts of the brain that control movement and coordination. Though the spinal cord and muscles initially develop normally, the child has difficulty controlling his or her muscles. Muscle imbalances may lead to joint contractures, hip dislocation, or gait problems; managed with bracing, therapy, or surgery to improve mobility.
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)
Improper formation or positioning of the hip joint in infants, ranging from mild instability to full dislocation; treated with bracing, casting, or surgery to ensure proper hip development.
Pediatric Treatments
Pediatric treatments are as unique as your child—our team is committed to providing compassionate, family-centered individualized care that prioritizes the unique physical, emotional, and developmental needs of every child.
Conservative Treatments
Conservative or nonsurgical treatments include specialized pediatric and sports physical therapy, casting, bracing, counseling, education and monitoring. We closely track progress to minimize complications, protect developing bones and joints, and ensure interventions are only escalated when truly beneficial.
Education is a core pillar of our practice—we invest time in clear, accessible explanations of the condition, the rationale for nonsurgical treatment, expected timelines for improvement, signs to watch for, and ways families can actively support recovery at home.
By using age-appropriate language and encouraging questions, we empower parents and children to understand the process, make informed choices, and feel confident as active partners in their child’s healing.
Non-Conservative Treatments
Surgical treatments, when indicated, are provided with similar compassionate, family centered care. Safety is the cornerstone of our practice: We adhere to the highest standards of evidence-based techniques, meticulous preoperative planning, advanced intraoperative protocols and advanced imaging techniques, and vigilant postoperative monitoring to minimize risks, protect growing bones and growth plates, and achieve the best possible outcomes with the least invasive approach necessary. Our goal is always to restore function, relieve pain, and support healthy growth while fostering trust, reducing anxiety, and helping each child thrive—because every child’s future mobility and confidence matter deeply
Who Benefits from Our Care?
Our pediatric orthopedic care supports more than just growing bodies. We care for children who want to get back to playing, learning, and doing the activities they love, whether that means sports, school, or everyday movement. At the same time, we support parents by providing clear communication, trusted expertise, and a thoughtful treatment plan every step of the way. As children regain strength, confidence, and mobility, parents gain peace of mind knowing their child is in experienced hands and on a safe path back to an active, healthy life.
Schroth Physical Therapy
The Schroth method is a specialized, non-surgical approach to treating scoliosis through excersize and postural correction.
The Scroth Method is a physical therapy approach that is specific to scoliosis treatment and personalized based on the specific curve type.
These are the three main principles of corrections:
- Axial elongation
- Sagittal plane correction
- Frontal plane correction
This is followed by facililatating 3D Postural Alignment and torso reshaping, which involves expansion and muscle activation. The result is de-torsion of the spine and the trunk to create the best spinal alignment. The corrections taught at therapy through Schroth method becomes conscious posture and later become automatic, intergrated in the brain into everyday life.
Meet Our Pediatric Specialists
Our pediatric care team combines board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons with an advanced nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics to deliver expert, child-focused care.
Jon Lentz, D.O.
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Specializes in:
- Spinal Deformities
- Sports Injuries
- Trauma/Fracture Care
Christopher Collins, M.D.
Pediatric
Specializes in:
- Spinal Deformities
- Sports Injuries
- Complex Fracture Care
Paul T. Haynes, M.D.
Pediatric
Specializes in:
- Spinal Deformities
- Sports Injuries
- Complex Fracture Care
Laura M. Francis
Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Specializes in:
- Spinal Deformities
- Sports Injuries
- Complex Fracture Care
- Non-Operative Pediatric Orthopedics
- Pediatric Sports Medicine
Schedule an Appointment With Our Pediatric Orthopedic Specialists in New Jersey
For over 40 years, Seaview Orthopaedic & Medical Associates has been providing high-quality orthopedic care with a focus on the overall patient experience. If your child is experiencing pain or a musculoskeletal concern, our pediatric orthopedic specialists are here to help at one of our seven locations across New Jersey. Schedule an appointment today or contact us online to learn more.
Our Locations
With seven convenient locations across New Jersey, including physical therapy available at every office, expert pediatric orthopedic care is always close to home.
Resources
At Seaview Orthopaedics, children are not considered “little” adults. They are truly unique and their orthopedic treatment needs to be equally as unique. Many pediatric injuries and orthopedic conditions require care managed by physicians specially trained in the care of children. Our pediatric orthopedic department is led by subspecialty trained pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
Our mission is to provide exceptional, compassionate care while utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to address pediatric injuries and conditions. Our goal is to return children efficiently and expertly to their normal activities.
Meet Our Orthopedic Pediatric Doctors
The orthopedic pediatric doctors at Seaview Orthopaedics are the trusted institute for your child’s orthopedic needs, injuries, and pain. We are committed to providing high-quality specialized pediatric treatments for our patients.
Schedule An Appointment with Our Pediatric Specialists
Common Pediatric Orthopedic Injuries and Conditions
The pediatric orthopedic specialists at Seaview Orthopaedics have helped numerous children recover from various orthopedic injuries and conditions. Below are some of the most common injuries and conditions our specialists treat.
Pediatric cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage or abnormalities in the parts of the brain that control movement and coordination. Though the spinal cord and muscles initially develop normally, the child has difficulty controlling his or her muscles.
Children commonly sustain fractures during play, sports participation, or traumatic incidents like car accidents. If your child breaks a bone, prompt treatment is necessary, as children’s bones heal more quickly than adults. Other factors, like growth plate fractures, the severity of the fracture, and the involvement of surrounding tissues, are considered when determining a treatment plan for pediatric fractures.
Pediatric hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip socket is too shallow to support the head of the femur (thighbone). This can lead to progressive instability of the hip and possible dislocation. If left untreated, it can lead to delays in walking, development of a limp, and permanent joint derangement. Milder forms can lead to impingement and even arthritis which can be very painful.
Scoliosis occurs when the spine develops a sideways curve. It is most common in children and adolescents. There are several different treatment options available for scoliosis, depending on the severity and the age of the patient. At Seaview, our specialists, Dr. Paul Haynes, Dr. Christopher Collins, and Dr. Jon Lentz specialize in pediatric scoliosis treatments and are here to help you find the treatment plan that is best for your child.
Spondylolysis is the term we use to describe a stress-related defect or “fracture” in one of the vertebrae in the spine. In some cases, this defect can be severe enough to cause instability in the spine, developing into a condition called spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis is a slippage of one bone (vertebra) in relation to the adjacent one.
Many children participate in some type of sport or athletic activity. While sports can be a great form of exercise for your children, they can also be more susceptible to certain types of injuries. Knowing how to spot these pediatric sports injuries and working with a highly qualified pediatric orthopedic team can ensure that your child is well taken care of in the event that an injury does occur.
Other Pediatric Orthopedic Services Offered
- Foot disorders (club feet)
- Congenital disorders
- Limb length discrepancies and deformities
- Syndromes and skeletal dysplasias
Schedule an Appointment with Our Seaview Orthopedic Pediatric Specialists in NJ
At Seaview Orthopaedic & Medical Associates, we have provided quality orthopedic care for over 30 years! Our patients’ total experience with our practice is our number one priority. If your child has been in pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at one of our six orthopedic clinics throughout NJ. To learn more feel free to contact us online.