Orthopedic Standout: The Children's Orthopaedic & Spine Center Delivering Care at Superhero Level

San Antonio, Texas (PRWEB) October 03, 2013

The Orthopedic & Spine Institute of San Antonio (OSI) is proud to announce their opening of a state-of-the-art pediatric orthopedic clinic called the Children’s Orthopaedic & Spine Center, fashioned with a superhero museum environment and equipped with two of the country’s top pediatric surgeons. People across the state and even around the world can come to seek the solutions OSI’s team of physicians is known for, and now the critical care for some of the most delicate bodies heightens the distinction. This pediatric team of orthopedic surgeons is entirely hands on and exceptionally conscientious in treating children. Dr. Steven Cyr, laid the vision for a pediatric wing, complete with a personalized superhero theme inspired by his own two sons. He ensured his pediatric team fit the standards and vision for OSI, an insight from these doctors will enlighten your perspective on putting your children in the hands of orthopedic surgeons.

Cyr insists “What I was looking for were people that had the background and the credentials to do a good job but also a heart for their patients and the bedside manner to separate them from the norm.” And find he did. “Dr. Liu and Dr. Ritchie are two guys who truly exemplify that description.”

Introducing, Dr. Hongbo Liu who came recommended to Dr. Cyr from the Mayo Clinic with adult spine training but also equipped with 2 fellowships in orthopedic pediatrics and pediatric deformity from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He also has neurosurgical fellowship training from Japan. Liu was an ideal fit and an asset to both the adult and children’s clinics. “That training and level of expertise is almost impossible to find outside of academic institutions” Cyr said. Liu, attracted by Cyr’s respect in the field, was drawn to the specialization opportunity at the unique orthopedic pediatric clinic. Liu specializes particularly in scoliosis, and good thing he does because he sees a lot of it. “The key is to respect the anatomy of small patients. You have to fix the problem while not affecting their growth in the future. You must know how to avoid damaging the growth plate,” Liu said. A father of young children, Liu personally enjoys working with grade school aged children all the way up to 18 years old and is glad to have found a place pioneering spinal deformities in children. “I’ve seen big hospitals nationwide, and this is amazing, definitely the best I’ve ever seen. We’re very efficient. We treat patients very well, and the medical staff provides the best service possible.” Their superhero themed office often steals the show, facilitating a practice that deals with many painful conditions. The haven does a lot for morale, even with adult patients.

Also introducing, Dr. Eric Ritchie who is the other half of OSI’s pediatric dynamic duo. Also equipped with impressive credentials, Ritchie completed his residency at Willford Hall and early orthopedic training with Dr. Cyr in the United States Air Force. After completing his fellowship in pediatrics in Salt Lake City, he returned as Chief of Pediatric Orthopaedics for the Air Force at Willford Hall and served alongside Dr. Cyr while he was chief of Spine. His residency experience in pediatrics hooked him on specializing in children. “I just love working with kids. Ritchie treats everything from babies with club feet up to 18 year olds with ACL tears but admits scoliosis is one of his favorite parts of pediatric orthopedics. He says there’s a honorable and assuring distinction between treating adults and treating children. A father of three, Ritchie first recognizes the heightened privilege there is in treating a child and being accountable to its family at length. “It really is a privilege that parents are trusting me, especially when I have to take a child to the operating room. That’s a very scary thing for a parent to go through. I try to treat all the kids the way I’d treat my own. Because of that I feel that there’s more pressure –you’re responsible to the family.” Although injured children sometimes come with more risk involved, Ritchie also appreciates the dexterity a child’s bone structure has to heal and seamlessly reform over the restricted capacity of an adult’s. “Kids’ bones aren’t as brittle as ours. They have a thick covering called periosteum, and there are a lot of ways to avoid surgery with children’s bodies. As they grow and because they grow, their bones remodel. You can have an angled fracture and in a year you won’t be able to even to tell it was broken. I know I don’t have to always take them to surgery because over time, their bodies will make it perfect,” Ritchie said.

One thing is certain; if there is an experience that can heal a child and transform his or her experience, these doctors can deliver it, and Cyr affirms his team has the experience to prove it. “If you go to a person who’s been trained well, there’s a pedigree, a spectrum of training that improves the success of treatment,” Cyr said. And he’s found the doctors that exhibit the best in the formula for an outstanding pediatric orthopaedic surgeon. The training and the father in them provide orthopedic and spinal care at the super hero level!

For more information on the Children’s Orthopedic and Spine Center or to make an appointment, please visit http://www.sachildrensorthopaedics.com or contact Janivee Trevino at (210) 487-7463.

PDF Print