Surgery. It's a word no parent wants to hear about their child's health. But at LuskinOIC, pediatric surgery often represents hope for children who have already endured so much.

This hope goes beyond the natural resilience of children, who tend to heal faster than adults. It’s about the exceptional care they receive here. With a state-of-the-art facility and a skilled team of surgeons, specialists, and rehabilitation experts, we are dedicated to giving your child the best chance for a successful surgery, smooth recovery, and a brighter future.

We understand that, as a parent, you have questions. Here’s what you need to know about pediatric orthopedic surgery—and why our Ambulatory Surgery Center is a place you can trust.

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How to Determine if Surgery is the Best Option for Your Child

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When faced with the possibility of surgery for your child, it's reassuring to know that today’s medical advancements often mean less invasive procedures, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times. Different conditions require different types of surgery, and understanding the options available can help you make the best decision for your child's health.

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Types of Surgery

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1. Open Surgery
Open surgery involves making a larger incision to provide the surgeon with a full view of the structures or organs involved. For example, scoliosis surgery may require spinal fusion to realign and fuse curved vertebrae into a single, solid bone. This procedure can take between 2 to 5 hours, with a typical inpatient recovery time of 3 to 5 days.

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2. Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive surgery involves techniques that require only small incisions, leading to faster recovery, less pain, and reduced scarring. While not all conditions can be treated this way, many surgical techniques now fall into this category, offering a less daunting option for children and parents alike.

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By understanding the differences between surgical methods, you can have more informed conversations with your child’s healthcare team about which approach is best suited for their specific condition.

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How to Talk to Your Child About Surgery

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When explaining surgery to young children (or even anxious teens), the key is to keep it simple and reassuring. The goal is to ease their worries and help them understand that this procedure is meant to help them feel better.

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Tips for Explaining Surgery to a Child:

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1. Use Diagrams, Toys, or Play
Demonstrating on a stuffed animal, drawing simple pictures, or using role-play can make surgery feel less intimidating. These visual and hands-on methods help kids grasp what’s going to happen, turning the unknown into something they can understand.

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2. Keep It Brief and Honest
Explain the basics of why they need the surgery and what it will help fix, without going into details that might sound frightening. If possible, introduce them to their doctor or show them the clinic ahead of time to build familiarity.

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3. Focus on Positive Language
If you treat surgery as something scary, they’ll likely feel the same way. Instead, emphasize the positive outcomes—how the procedure will help them feel better, and how kind the doctors will be throughout the process. Reassure them that you’ll be by their side. While it’s important to be truthful, avoid making promises you can’t guarantee. Keep the tone hopeful and supportive.

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Learn about our Ambulatory Surgery Center

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The Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) at LuskinOIC is the first of its kind in Los Angeles, offering pediatric patients faster access to outpatient orthopedic surgical care. This cutting-edge facility allows us to significantly reduce surgery wait times, helping prevent serious or permanent damage in children recovering from musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.

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We’re proud to share that our ASC has earned renewed accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence. Additionally, our LuskinOIC Laboratory is accredited by The Joint Commission for meeting and exceeding rigorous performance standards. These distinctions set our ASC apart as a leader in outpatient care, ensuring the highest quality treatment—regardless of a family’s financial circumstances.

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To learn more, reach out to us or watch this video for a virtual tour of our Ambulatory Surgery Center:

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