Paediatric and adolescent orthopaedic care

At Coffs Harbour Orthopaedic Specialists, we provide orthopaedic care for children and adolescents of all ages. Access to services can be limited in regional areas, often requiring families to travel long distances for assessment and treatment. Dr Schwass is pleased to offer timely, high-quality paediatric orthopaedic care locally, working closely with general practitioners, physiotherapists, emergency departments, and hospital teams. We see children from infancy through to late adolescence for both acute injuries and ongoing musculoskeletal conditions.

Paediatric Fractures & Acute Injuries

Children’s bones and joints differ from those of adults, and injuries require careful assessment to ensure safe healing and normal growth.

We routinely assesses and manage:

Upper and lower limb fractures in children of all ages
Growth plate (physeal) injuries
Buckle (torus) and greenstick fractures
Acute sporting injuries
Soft tissue injuries requiring specialist input

Where appropriate, management is non-operative, with an emphasis on correct immobilisation, follow-up, and safe return to normal activities. When surgery is required, this is discussed carefully with families, with clear explanations and shared decision-making.

Paediatric & Adolescent Sports Injuries

Children and adolescents have unique injury patterns related to growth, biomechanics, and training load. At Coffs Harbour Orthopaedic Specialists, paediatric and adolescent sports injuries managed include:

Sports-related knee injuries
Ligament, cartilage, and meniscal injuries
Overuse injuries
Recurrent pain affecting training or competition

Management is individualised based on the child’s age, sport, and stage of development, with close collaboration with local physiotherapists and sports medicine providers.

Knee Problems in Children & Adolescents

Knee pain is one of the most common reasons for referral in paediatric and adolescent patients. Conditions commonly assessed include:

Patellar instability and recurrent dislocation
Anterior knee pain
Osteochondral defects and cartilage injuries
Meniscal pathology
Alignment or mechanical contributors to symptoms

Treatment ranges from education and physiotherapy through to surgical intervention when indicated, with a focus on protecting long-term joint health.

Hip Problems in Adolescents

Hip conditions in adolescents can be subtle and benefit from early diagnosis. At Coffs Harbour Orthopaedic Specialists, we manage adolescent hip problems including:

Hip pain or limp
Activity-related hip or groin pain
Reduced hip range of motion
Suspected structural or developmental hip conditions

Early recognition and appropriate management can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of longer-term problems.

Scope of Paediatric Care

We provide orthopaedic assessment and treatment for the majority of paediatric and adolescent musculoskeletal conditions, particularly fractures, sports injuries, knee conditions, and adolescent hip problems.

There are a small number of highly specialised paediatric conditions that are best managed in dedicated tertiary paediatric centres, where the necessary facilities, multidisciplinary teams, and ongoing support services are available.

Conditions Referred to Tertiary Paediatric Centres

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants, which typically requires specialised bracing, casting, and ongoing paediatric orthopaedic care not currently available locally
Severe limb deformity correction, where complex growth modulation or reconstructive surgery is required
Congenital hand and upper limb pathology, which benefits from specialised paediatric hand surgery services
Paediatric spinal pathology, including deformity and complex spinal conditions

For these conditions, we are very happy to:

Assist with initial assessment and diagnosis
Provide clear guidance to families and referring clinicians
Facilitate timely referral to an appropriate tertiary paediatric orthopaedic centre
Remain involved in shared care where appropriate once definitive management has been established

A Family-Focused Approach

Seeing a child for an orthopaedic condition can be stressful for families. At Coffs Harbour Orthopaedic Specialists we take a calm, measured, and family-centred approach, with a focus on:

Clear explanations in plain language
Involving parents and carers in decision-making
Safe recovery and return to school, sport, and normal activities
Clear communication with referring clinicians