WYMAN’ S STORY
Ryan Kasprzak and Lindsay Levine discovered their baby Wyman would be born with a clubfoot during a 20-week sonogram. They lined up a pediatric orthopedic specialist in San Francisco, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, their doctor canceled.
Luckily, the couple discovered Renown Children’ s Hospital. With their base now in South Lake Tahoe, Wyman’ s parents traveled to Reno for casting when he was a newborn. After several rounds of casts to gently correct his foot, baby Wyman was able to transition to bracing.
Right-Sizing Surgery
Pediatric orthopedic specialists make a difference for children.
Michael Elliott, MD
“ Because we were able to start casting within two weeks of birth, Wyman will develop normally,” says Michael Elliott, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Renown Children’ s Hospital.“ Once he grows, he will be able to do regular activities without limitations.”
KIDS WITH ORTHOPEDIC CONCERNS NEED SPECIAL care, because their bones are still growing. The Pediatric Orthopedics & Scoliosis department at Renown Children’ s Hospital is home to the only fellowship-trained pediatric orthopedic surgeons in northern Nevada.
“ We take care of everything in children from birth to age 18, from scoliosis and clubfoot to hip dysplasia and neuromuscular disorders, along with acute injuries such as fractures,” says Michael Elliott, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Renown Children’ s Hospital.“ In our clinic, all we do is take care of children all day, every day.”
The Right Care at the Right Time Timely diagnosis and prompt referrals can make a crucial difference in care.
“ We see many patients with scoliosis who, had they been seen earlier, wouldn’ t need surgery,” Dr. Elliott says.“ I would be much happier getting a child with a 30-degree scoliosis curve and putting them in a brace, which is 85 % successful in preventing a need for surgery.”
This conservative approach to treatment can often spare children from major surgeries, but only when they are seen in time.
“ Growth modulation surgery for bowlegs is outpatient surgery,” Dr. Elliott says.“ But if you wait until you’ re done growing and you have a bad deformity, then it’ s a major surgery.”
Dr. Elliott and his partner Martin Morrison, MD, who have four decades of experience between them, are members of the Scoliosis Research Society, which means 20 % of their practice is scoliosis treatment.
“ Everything is geared toward children in our clinic, from the kid-friendly waiting room to headphones that can decrease anxiety to staff trained to handle children with special needs and neurodivergence,” Dr. Elliott says.“ We also use low-dose radiation for safer imaging.”
Call Renown Pediatric Orthopedics & Scoliosis at 775-982-6270 for referrals and appointments.
10 | CLINICAL CONNECTIONS