The Emergence of Non-Operative Pediatric Orthopaedists (NOPO) to Increase Access to Orthopaedic Care for Children Current Concept Review

Abstract

Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons (POS) are faced with numerous changes including increased volume of referrals from pediatricians and family medicine physicians who do not feel comfortable managing “primary care orthopaedic conditions”. There is an emerging field of medicine, Non-Operative Pediatric Orthopaedics (NOPO), which has grown over the past 15 years. These physicians bridge the respective fields of Pediatrics and Pediatric Orthopaedics by providing the full spectrum of non-operative pediatric orthopaedic care while creating a symbiotic partnership with pediatric orthopaedic surgeons.