Our Treatment Approach

A Treatment Approach Unique to your Child

Your child’s team of physicians and specialists will be created to suit their individualized care needs. Designing this personalized plan is important to us because we believe that your child deserves a care plan as unique and special as they are.

What You Can Expect

Before Your Visit

Prior to your initial visit, you will be asked to provide us with your child’s medical records and any insurance information. For details on what is required, please visit our Patient Information page.

During Your Visit

You’ll typically begin with a visit to our clinic. Here, we will evaluate your child and work with you to design a customized treatment plan.

After Your Visit

Following the clinical evaluation and care plan development, you and your child will be introduced to their individualized team of specialists. Depending on the plan, your team may include care managers, registered nurses, child life specialists, dieticians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists and therapeutic recreation consultants. Procedures or follow-up appointments will be booked with members from your child’s team of specialists according to their care plan.

Our Commitment to You

We are committed to ensuring your child thrives at home, school and in their community. This includes providing your family with the highest quality of care, access to our in-house clinical services, traditional inpatient services and any other professional support services related to your child’s treatment plan.

Pediatric Specialty Care at Shriners Children's Chicago

Shriners Children’s Chicago offers specialized care for a wide range of pediatric orthopedic, bone and joint conditions, including rare diseases and syndromes. Other specialties include spine and scoliosis care, plastic surgery, cleft lip and palate care, comprehensive rehabilitation and spinal cord injuries. You can read more about our pediatric specialty care programs below.

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Orthopedic Care

physician, patient and father

Our orthopedic department is home to full-time pediatric orthopedic surgeons and several of Chicago’s Top Doctors with inpatient and outpatient facilities. We are part of national research groups in orthopedic conditions. Our patients benefit from one of Illinois’ few pediatric rheumatologists.

If your child has orthopedic conditions such as cerebral palsy, hip dysplasia, clubfoot, a hand or limb difference or a fracture, Shriners Children's Chicago is an exceptional facility to consider for their treatment. We also offer special clinics for spina bifida and muscular dystrophy, as well as brace and wheelchair assessments and services for our orthopedic patients.

We will work with you to develop a care plan unique to your child's needs. Their care plan can include various treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation plans and psychological support.

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Scoliosis and Spine Care

patient and physician

Our spine orthopedic surgeons provide a team approach for the evaluation and treatment of spinal conditions, including scoliosis, Scheuermann’s kyphosis, spondylolisthesis, skeletal dysplasias, spinal fractures and tumors.

If your child has scoliosis or a spine condition, our team of specialists will work with you to develop a plan that covers all aspects of their care, including surgery, rehabilitation, treatment and psychological support. We offer on-site prosthetists for back braces as part of our POPS program.

In cases where there is early detection, your child’s spine is still growing, so we focus on using minimally invasive, fusionless treatment options whenever possible. If your child's condition is more complex and requires spinal fusions, our specialists will use more advanced surgical techniques as part of their treatment plan.

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Cleft Lip and Palate Care

Our team at Shriners Children’s Chicago includes internationally recognized physicians and specialists who are highly experienced in treating pediatric cleft and craniofacial conditions. Our team approach to care includes visits with up to 10 specialists during a single consultation.

If your child has a cleft lip and/or cleft palate, a combination of surgeries and treatments will be included in their individualized care plan. Our specialized plastic surgeons will provide surgical repair to improve functional abilities associated with your child's condition(s). Our care focuses on improving your child's breathing, speaking and eating abilities while reconstructing their facial tissue and supporting their self-esteem.

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Plastic Surgery

patient smiling

Our specialists perform plastic surgery for craniofacial syndromes, jaw deformities, infant head shape concerns, as well as treat scars and deformities of the ears, skin, breasts and other parts of the body. If your child requires plastic surgery for their condition, our specialists will work with you to develop an individualized plan that that involves on-site specialists in psychology, audiology, dentistry, and speech therapy, all focused on providing the best outcome possible.

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Pediatric Rehabilitation

patient and therapist

Our comprehensive rehabilitation program is made up of physical medicine & rehabilitation physicians and therapists. At Shriners Children's Chicago, we feature robotic and advanced technologies and a warm water therapy pool. We offer our patients a team approach to conditions like cerebral palsy, brachial plexus, arthrogryposis, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, wound care, or following surgical procedures. We work with specialists across all departments to integrate other treatments into your child's rehabilitation care plan as needed.

If your child's plan involves rehabilitation, then our team will work with them to design an individualized care plan that optimizes their independence and improves their function.

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Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services

patient working with prosthetic

The Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) team is devoted to designing braces, prosthetic arms and legs, and adaptive devices that give children the ability to pursue their dreams.

When you and your child visit our POPS team, it is more than measurements and mechanics. It is about your child sharing their hopes and dreams and providing our team with information specific to them. These personalized details about your child's activities and lifestyle allow our technicians to return to the lab and design a perfect fit just for them.

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A Recognized Leader in Pediatric Specialty Care

Our team of specialists works with you to design a treatment program that focuses on the overall health and well-being of your child.

Educational and Helpful Podcasts for Parents

Our specialists in pediatric medicine provide details on treatment, care and the experience for families at Shriners Children's Chicago. Listen to our latest Pediatric Specialty Care Spotlight Podcast episode.

We Understand the Unique Medical Needs of Children

We provide vital, pioneering treatment from birth to age 18. Here, children have the opportunity to be evaluated and treated by doctors recognized as the best by their peers.