- How soon after an injury does my child need to be seen by an orthopedist?
Please call as soon as possible to make your initial appointment. Ideally, your child is seen within 7-10 days from the date of injury. Please notify us whether or not your child is in a splint, brace, or cast so we can adjust timing as needed. Due to swelling, elbow fractures are prioritized and will be seen within 7 days from the date of injury.
- My child was seen by an adult orthopedist who said that we need surgery immediately. Why do we need to wait a week for an appointment?
Our providers specialize in pediatric care and the unique way children heal. The 7–10-day time frame from when the injury occurred is important for swelling to go down so that providers may determine if surgery is actually necessary.
- If my child’s cast is damaged, do I need to bring them back immediately?
You can sign up for MyChart, PSV’s secure online portal, and send a picture of the cast to their PSV care team for evaluation. You may also email a picture of a damaged cast to OrthoRN@psvcare.org. Our providers will review and determine if the cast needs immediate attention or can wait until your next appointment.
- What should I do if my child is experiencing pain? Should I take them to the emergency room/urgent care?
For typical pain control we recommend alternating the use of over-the-counter Tylenol and Motrin, along with elevating the affected extremity and applying ice. If your child’s pain is persistent, increases suddenly, or there is a continued concern, please call our orthopedic nurse line at 571-766-3099. If your child is in distress, please go to your nearest emergency room.
- I had to cancel my child’s follow up appointment. Is it ok for my child to have the cast longer?
If your child has a regular cast, it should be removed within 3-5 days after the canceled appointment to avoid stiffness. If your child has pins, they must be removed as soon as possible following the cancelation.
- Will my child be given a cast on the same day of our appointment?
This decision will be made depending on the injury and clinical judgment of the provider.
- Do I need to bring my child’s imaging? (X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, etc.)
Yes. It is important to bring a CD of all related imaging to your child’s appointment along with any reports. We cannot access imaging from outside facilities via email, external drive, Google drive, etc.—mailing imaging is also unreliable. Alternatively, you may upload the files via Ambra, a secure medical imaging platform. Simply register for an account here (no more than 30 days prior to your child's appointment) and submit the imaging files online.
If your child had images taken at an Inova or Children's National Medical Center facility, you do not need to bring a CD or report as these automatically upload to our system.
- If I start at a certain office location, do I need to continue with that location for follow-up visits?
You may schedule with the patient’s designated provider at either our Fairfax or Ashburn location. However, please keep in mind that not all providers see patients at Ashburn, and availability is limited at that location.
- How long can I expect my visit to last?
Depending on your child's needs and complexity of care (x-rays, casting, etc.), patients/families can expect to spend 45-90 minutes in clinic for their visit.
For appointments, please call: (703) 876-2788
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