Early diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the developing skeleton
Book an AppointmentMr. Tzanetos was trained at the Pediatric Orthopaedic Clinic of KAT and specialized in the Scoliosis Outpatient Clinics of the same hospital — one of the largest reference centers in Greece. He has also actively participated in the mass school screening for scoliosis, and in briefings as a speaker at scientific workshops.
The growing skeleton has unique properties — growth plates, elastic bones, rapid reconstruction. This means that some conditions that are serious in adults self-heal in children, while others that seem mild can get worse quickly during developmental phases if left unattended.
Hip dysplasia, club foot, valgus/clubbing, incomplete fractures
Perthes disease, femoral epiphysal slippage, childhood scoliosis, flat feet
Idiopathic adolescent scoliosis, Osgood-Schlatter disease, developmental plate injuries, leg discrepancy
Children's fractures (green wood), distal fractures, developmental plate injuries
The child's assessment requires a specialized clinical examination and age-appropriate examinations — always with radiation minimization in mind:
First line for fractures, scoliosis (Cobb angle), hip. Modern EOS systems allow panoramic images of the entire body with minimal radiation.
Method of choice for infants up to 6 months for hip dysplasia — completely avoids radiation. Also for evaluation of hip collections in children with lameness.
Ideal for growth plaques, necrosis (Perthes), cartilage and neurological causes. In children, CT is avoided when possible.
Clinical and radiological measurement — a leg gap of more than 2 cm needs treatment to avoid secondary scoliosis and joint damage.
Scoliosis screening clinical trial — the patient bends forward and asymmetry is assessed. Simple, painless, suitable for school testing.
In scoliosis, age maturity (Risser scale) determines the risk of worsening and chooses treatment — guardian or follow-up.
Early diagnosis in pediatric orthopaedics makes a huge difference — many conditions are treated conservatively if detected early.
Book an AppointmentScreening is recommended at the age of 10–14 years, during rapid adolescent development. Early diagnosis allows the use of a brace that stops the deterioration and prevents surgery.
Yes, up to 3–4 years old flat feet are normal — the sole is covered with fatty tissue and the arch has not formed. If it persists after the age of 5-6, causes pain, or the child avoids running, it needs to be evaluated.
Inflammation at the connection of the patellar tendon in the tibia — common in athletic children 10–15 years old during rapid growth. It is manifested by pain and swelling under the knee. It is self-limiting but needs proper management.
Lameness without injury, hip or knee pain in a child who refuses to walk, shoulder or hip asymmetry, or nighttime bone pain need immediate orthopaedic evaluation — especially in children 4–10 years old due to Perthes disease.