Orthopedics - Nemours Blog | Expert Health and Wellness Guidance for Parents

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Associate Highlight: Daniel Biggers, OTC

With over 13 years of dedicated service, Orthopedic Clinical Supervisor, Dan Biggers has not only honed his skills but has also become a cherished part of the Nemours Children’s family. His journey began in the U.S. Navy, where a chance encounter with an orthopedic clinic sparked a lifelong passion. While serving, Dan found himself escorting a sailor from his ship to an orthopedic clinic due to a fractured leg. As he watched the ortho techs at work, Dan was captivated by their expertise and the intricate processes they employed. Their combination of precision, skill, and the ability to help others in a tangible way resonated deeply with him. Today, Dan’s role at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida is multifaceted, blending the art of medicine with personal connection. “Since my start over 13 years ago, I have been impressed by the genuine personalities and overall kindness of the staff at Nemours,” he […]

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A Journey of Strength and Resilience: Anzlie’s Story

At just 14 years old, Anzlie has faced significant challenges, yet she remains determined and strong. A first-year high school student, Anzlie has a passion for animals, even raising chickens in her backyard. She is an athlete and a dedicated student in the International Baccalaureate program, balancing academics with volleyball and CrossFit. Anzlie also manages both Type 1 diabetes and scoliosis, two conditions that require continuous care. Anzlie’s journey with Type 1 diabetes began shortly after she finished first grade. Her mother noticed that Anzlie was excessively thirsty and had lost weight, prompting them to consult a doctor. The diagnosis was confirmed, and they were quickly referred to Nemours Children’s Health, where Dr. Larry Fox and a supportive endocrinology team helped them learn to manage the condition. Anzlie quickly adapted to monitoring her blood sugar and adjusting insulin. Despite the challenges of diabetes, Anzlie embraced an active lifestyle. She participated […]

PATIENT STORIES

Back On Base: Shaun’s Story

Shaun’s journey with Nemours Children’s Health began when his family noticed an unusual bump on his leg while he was sitting on the couch, playing a video game. They took him to see his pediatrician where he was referred to Nemours Children’s. There, he was diagnosed with an osteochondroma on his left femur. An osteochondroma is a common, non-cancerous bone tumor that can develop in the growing bones of children. Despite the diagnosis, Shaun continued to lead an active life playing baseball, a sport he was passionate about. “When we first discovered the osteochondroma, it didn’t hurt him at all,” his mother, Renee recalls. “But as he continued to grow, so did the lump. Eventually, it became so large that it would rub against his thigh muscle whenever he ran, causing him significant pain and forcing him to stop.” This change in his condition was a clear sign that they […]

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Finding Answers: Logan’s Story

In April 2024, Logan began experiencing persistent right shoulder pain. What made it particularly confusing was that he hadn’t experienced any recent injuries or trauma. His family, concerned, took him to see his pediatrician, who, after a thorough examination, referred them to a local pediatric orthopedic specialist. Whittney, Logan’s mother, recalls, “When the pain started, Logan was hurting all the time. He kept his arm in a sling for a little over a month, but there was no improvement. He had trouble putting on his own shirt and couldn’t lift a carton of milk. He couldn’t play baseball or do any of the things he enjoyed so it started to affect his mental health.” The local orthopedic specialist was diligent in trying to pinpoint the cause of Logan’s discomfort. Over the course of a month, he ordered a series of lab tests and imaging studies. Despite these efforts, the specialist […]

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A New Path Forward: Miguel’s Story

Adopted from Colombia two years ago, Miguel’s congenital limb deformity had left him unable to stand or walk, relying on his knees and a wheelchair to navigate the world. “We were aware of his congenital limb deformity, but we weren’t exactly sure what that would mean for him in the course of his life,” his mother, Jennifer, shares. Life before treatment was a series of adaptations and challenges. Miguel had developed his own way of navigating the world. He would “walk” and crawl on his knees, using custom knee pads to cushion his movements. “He was amazingly active,” Jennifer shares, “but he did have frequent pain and skin issues from ‘walking’ on his knees.” His inability to stand or reach things independently made everyday activities a constant challenge. His family’s resolve to find a solution grew stronger with each passing day. “Because he also has shortened arms, we realized that […]

PATIENT STORIES

Every Step of the Way: Jackson’s Story

When Allison was 21 weeks pregnant, she and her husband, Chris, learned that their son, Jackson, would be born with diastrophic dysplasia, a form of dwarfism. After his birth and spending 37 days in the NICU at their local hospital near their home in Virginia, they began to see specialists for Jackson’s care. “Shortly after learning Jackson’s diagnosis, we connected online with another family whose son also has diastrophic dysplasia,” shares Allison. “They recommended we consult with the skeletal dysplasia team at Nemours Children’s. While Jackson was still in the NICU with feeding issues, we were in contact with Angie Duker, MS, CGC.” In May of 2016, when Jackson was just 3 months old, they made their first visit to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “As diastrophic dysplasia is not as common as other types of skeletal dysplasia, we were looking to find care from medical professionals with specific and successful experience with the […]

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Overcoming Obstacles: Anel’s Story

At 17, elite soccer player, Anel, faced a daunting diagnosis of a torn acetabular labrum and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), threatening his athletic dreams. For Anel, the first signs of trouble appeared during a significant growth spurt. “I initially had pain back in 2022 when I had a growth spurt and never thought anything of it,” Anel shares. Though he dismissed it, the pain persisted, and after months of intermittent issues, his athletic trainer at Jacksonville FC recommended he seek further medical attention. It was then that Anel was referred to Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville. When Anel started receiving treatment from Sports Medicine Director, Dr. Stephanie Pearce and Caitlin Schlosser, MHA, ATC, OTC, they quickly realized the severity of his condition. “They immediately found out the problem with an MRI scan, and we proceeded with a treatment plan,” Anel explains. The first approach was to try a less invasive method, a […]

PATIENT STORIES

Dwarfism Awareness Month: Emma’s Story

Megan and Brian were overjoyed when they learned of their pregnancy with Emma. Like many expectant parents, they were filled with excitement and anticipation. However, their journey took an unexpected turn during a routine 24-week OB/GYN visit. Their doctor noticed that Emma’s growth had dropped significantly to the 3rd percentile, a development that immediately raised alarms. “It was recommended we see Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists on account of the high-risk pregnancy,” share Megan and Brian. “After several more visits and an amniocentesis, we learned that Emma had achondroplasia, about one month before she arrived.” Achondroplasia is the most common skeletal dysplasia leading to disproportionate short stature. “We are both average height parents and do not have any family history of achondroplasia, so we did not know a great deal about the condition until we met our sweet Emma,” share Megan and Brian. In Emma’s case, her achondroplasia was caused by a […]

FEATURED POST

Back on the Ice: Jeffrey’s Story

Diagnosed with hemihypertrophy and leg length discrepancy at just 9 months old, Jeffrey has undergone a complex medical journey, spanning over a decade. His family chose Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware after researching top children’s hospitals near their home in Lehigh Valley, PA. His family was particularly drawn to Dr. Reid Nichols, who would become Jeffrey’s doctor for the next 11 years. Throughout his life, Jeffrey’s treatments have been multifaceted and challenging. Jeffrey underwent several procedures, including an iliotibial fasciotomy/tenotomy, femur shaft osteotomy, and the implantation of a Precice lengthening device, as well as hemiephysiodesis of the distal femur. These interventions were crucial in addressing his leg length discrepancy and associated complications. His mother Amber shares, “We are blessed that Dr. Nichols has been his doctor for 11 years and giving us the best treatment. Her upbeat outlook and confidence in her work gave us the motivation we needed to continue […]

PATIENT STORIES

Independence and Confidence: Braulin’s Story

Braulin’s family found out about their son’s diagnosis during Gissette’s pregnancy. Gissette noticed that her local doctor was sending her to do more sonograms and measurements than she had for her previous pregnancies, making Gissette nervous. It was during this time that her care team informed her that Braulin was diagnosed with dwarfism. After receiving the diagnosis, Gissette decided to explore new care options with experts that specialized in dwarfism. “In my country, the Dominican Republic, there wasn’t much information about how to treat or care for a child with dwarfism,” shares Gissette. “I had a lot of questions but no answers. This is when my journey of looking for answers on the internet started.” Through her research, Gissette was able to connect with other parents navigating dwarfism and Little People of America. Once Braulin was born, Gissette took several trips to the United States with Braulin to receive specialized […]

PATIENT STORIES

A Smooth Recovery: Karlee’s Story

12-year-old Karlee was riding her bike with her brother and cousin when a sudden mishap sent her tumbling to the ground, her left wrist bearing the brunt of the fall. The impact was immediate, and the pain was intense. “When I fell, I landed on my left wrist and felt a sharp pain in my arm,” Karlee recalls. After the accident, a trusted family member recommended they see Dr. John Lovejoy at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. “All of my doctors and nurses at Nemours were really nice and made sure I was comfortable,” Karlee shares. From the moment she arrived, the team at Nemours took a compassionate approach, ensuring that Karlee felt at ease and understood every step of the process. “Dr. Lovejoy helped me understand what bones I broke and how they planned to fix them,” Karlee says. The detailed breakdown of her injuries and the treatment plan provided […]

PATIENT STORIES

A Bright Future: Peter’s Story

Peter, a child with Down syndrome adopted from Hong Kong at the age of 3, has faced numerous health challenges throughout his life. His journey, including multiple surgeries and comprehensive care, is a testament to the importance of dedicated medical support. Peter’s health issues were first identified when his parents noticed he wasn’t thriving. After consulting several specialists, a podiatrist with training at Nemours Children’s referred them to Nemours Children’s Health. After several tests, Peter received a critical diagnosis: his C1-C2 vertebrae were not fused, posing a significant risk to his spinal cord. In September 2017, Peter underwent a lifesaving C1-C2 fusion surgery performed by Dr. William Mackenzie and Dr. Jeffrey Campbell at Nemours. Following the surgery, Peter showed remarkable improvements in various areas, including potty training, communication, and education. However, his journey was far from over as Peter was still experiencing complications with his foot. Further examinations with Dr. […]

ARTICLES RELATED TO: Orthopedics

ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Orthopedics