Leon Root, MD, Pediatric Outreach Program (POP): A community prevention and treatment program for pediatric musculoskeletal diseases

Childhood musculoskeletal injuries and conditions are a major worldwide problem. In 2008, for children <19 years, abnormal musculoskeletal conditions accounted for 427,000 hospitalizations and 9.5 million physician visits in the USA. Incidence of musculoskeletal problems is greater in overweight and obese children. The Pediatric Outreach Program (POP) at Hospital for Special Surgery is a community based, early detection screening program designed to prevent long-term musculoskeletal disorders and severe joint disability in children from socially disadvantaged communities. The POP team also focuses on potential primary care issues (nutrition, dental, dermatological). Since 1987, the program has conducted 264 musculoskeletal school screenings and 75 pediatric orthopedic clinics, reaching over 25,000 children and referring nearly 4,000 for follow-up care. In 2004, POP expanded to include a monthly community-based pediatric orthopaedic clinic in Chinatown. Since 2004, 343 children have been referred for follow-up care for musculoskeletal disorders such as scoliosis, joint pain, bowed legs and flat feet. These referrals resulted in a total of 206 visits to the Hospital's pediatric orthopedic clinic. Approximately, 50% of those visits needed further medical treatment and 5% required surgery (i.e. orthopaedic surgical corrections). POP has also referred 530 children for primary care concerns including 230 (43%) for nutritional consultation. POP is an essential public health program that utilizes experienced pediatric orthopaedic surgeons to identify and treat pediatric musculoskeletal disorders. This model program helps to promote and maintain optimal mobility through adulthood, thereby helping to curb the exacerbation of musculoskeletal issues and promote obesity prevention.