Daugther keeps getting sprained ankles-Ortho won't see kids

I have no idea if there are pediatricians who specialize in orthopedics but it might be worth a look around, as your area of Massachusetts has some of the best doctors in the world, at least by reputation.

On second thought, maybe it is only your Ortho's practice that follows that mode.

Paediatric orthopaedics is a full-on specialty area.

Treatment for people who haven't finished growing can be very different than it is for adults.

Massgeneral has a children's ortho department.

http://www.massgeneral.org/ortho-childrens/about/

http://www.massgeneral.org/ortho-childrens/conditions-treatments/strains_and_sprains.aspx

thanks all - I called my insurance carrier directly as I wanted to get someone in the network otherwise you pay and arm and a leg (goes well with the topic).

The difficulty comes in to find one that is within your network ---

I did point out to them that there is a Boston Children's Hospital satellite office a couple of towns over from me (they didn't have this listed on their website - but I know it is in the network because my older daughter went to their emergency room when she got a concussion). The main Boston Children's is listed as in the network on the website.

They found a doctor that fit the bill - that does come once a week to this branch - thank goodness as it would be much easier and less costly for travel than going into Boston. So I by pushing it and having a very helpful person on the phone I was able to find one close by.

And do you find it odd then that within the same office, they have a physician assistance that will see children, but not an actual doctor?

I think that is the kicker. How could someone with less education/experience be able to handle children, but a doctor refuses?

Quote Linkat:

Absolutely, that is odd, for the reasons you state.

Maybe it's some sort of insurance thing? Most weird things seem to be insurance things these days.

Maybe ask about the PA's qualifications. They might have done a paediatric specialty.

I'm fairly uninformed, except when I read this and that, about pediatrics but I did have a pal in the 70's who was a pediatrician with particular interests that she explored, immunology being one of them, so it makes sense to me that some pediatricians are specialists.

I have friends who have been nurse practitioners and I will pump for at least my friends; one was a Red Cross emergency person..

Anyway, re the doctor refusing, I take it as a place he didn't want to go, re what ehBeth said, the differences in practice choices in those practices. I'm guessing he is younger and doesn't know it all yet or is older and tired as it is.

That too.. I should have thought of that.

Well the one doctor I know is older -- not young and not real older but with a good amount of experience as he worked with my older daughter when she 16/17. He was good and ordered an MRI and sent her right away to PT - she had no further problems. My younger daughter seeing the PA for her knee gave her a brace and crutches. No MRI, no PT. She has had issues since. Spraining her ankle afterwards with a similar recommendation. I suggested PT - he said she didn't need it. But I called and got her PT.

This time I pushed to get her a doctor rather than the PA after being hurt off and on for 6 months. Hopefully she can help her get her on her feet or ankle as is more correct.

Sometimes people with specialties can know more than actual doctors. People vary, including doctors.