Specialty Clinics

At Shriners Children’s Portland, we are uniquely equipped to provide specialized care for patients who have any form of skeletal dysplasia. Our multidisciplinary clinic includes pediatric specialists in the areas of orthopedics, genetics, endocrinology, physical therapy and more. Robert Bernstein, M.D., chief of staff at Shriners Children’s Portland, is internationally recognized for the care and treatment of children with skeletal dysplasia. He is also on the medical advisory board for Little People of America.

Shriners Children’s Portland has specialists in orthopedics, endocrinology, nutrition, and radiology, and offers state-of-the-art technology with a bone density DEXA scanner.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanners allow health care providers to examine the density of bone and assess how bone density is improving with therapy. DEXA is the gold standard for assessing bone mineral density in children and uses an exceptionally low amount of radiation (less than a single chest X-ray). It is used to both identify and diagnose children with diseases associated with fragility fractures, and to monitor treatment effects of medications used to improve bone density.

Patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), rickets and other bone health problems are seen in this clinic.

The brachial plexus and peripheral nerve is a group of nerves that originate at the spinal cord in the neck and travel down the arm. These nerves control the muscles of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand and provide feeling in the arm. A common misconception is that brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injuries resolve on their own. Early intervention makes a big difference.

The brachial plexus and peripheral nerve clinic is unique as two hand specialists are available to see each patient at the same time. Krister Freese, M.D., and Jenna Godfrey, M.D., MSPH, collaborate for the best experience for each child and their family. In addition to orthopedic hand specialists, occupational therapy, orthotics and social work are also available at the clinic.

Our pediatric spine specialists meet children with a range of spine conditions, such as idiopathic scoliosis, early onset scoliosis, congenital scoliosis (hemivertebrae with fused or absent ribs, etc.,), neurofibromatosis type I, kyphosis, torticollis and abnormal posture. The specialists provide second and third opinions, and have extensive experience in casting, bracing, and surgery.

Shriners Children’s Portland is the Pacific Northwest leader in specialists for cleft lip and palate care for children. Our multidisciplinary team includes plastic surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, and speech pathologists who work together in coordinated appointments to repair your child’s cleft lip and palate and address other related needs and concerns. Our team focuses exclusively on children and understands how growth and development affect the outcomes for a child’s appearance and function.

In addition to pediatric specialists dedicated to cleft lip and palate care, Shriners Children’s Portland offers rehabilitation services on-site. We specialize in pediatric therapy services for children with cleft/craniofacial conditions, including speech therapy. Our family-centered approach ensures that both the patient and their family are included in establishing a plan of care that allows the patient to achieve greater independence and overall quality of life.

Our medical team specializes in providing comprehensive and ongoing care and management for the rare orthopedic condition arthrogryposis multiplex congenital (AMC). Our team utilizes both non-operative and operative options to help our AMC patients improve range-of-motion and ultimately, their quality of life.

Spina bifida can manifest in a number of ways, from major complications to mild symptoms that do not require as much medical intervention. Shriners Children’s Portland is active in the most up-to-date research, leveraging evidence-backed treatment to help children with spina bifida live their best lives. Our team is comprised of experienced pediatric orthopedists, neurologists, urologists and pediatricians with expertise in spina bifida care. Common spina bifida treatments and therapies include physical and occupational therapy, orthotics and surgery.

Pediatric orthopedists, therapists and orthotists work together with each patient and their family to prescribe a customized care plan for children with cerebral palsy. Treatment options may include referrals to our tone management clinic or Baclofen clinic, a visit to our motion analysis center and a customized plan involving surgery to correct contractures and bony alignment when necessary. We also specialize in spasticity and tone management for patients and conditions, like cerebral palsy, that reduce spasticity. A multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to improve each patient’s range of motion, motor function and comfort.

The neuromuscular clinic at Shriners Children's Portland brings together a wide variety of specalists. Children seen in this clinic have received a diagnosis that has resulted in neuropathy (nerve dysfunction that causes numbness or weakness such as Charcot Marie Tooth disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and myopathy (affects the muscles that control voluntary movement in the body), including muscular dystrophy. Shriners Children's Portland often participates in a number of drug trials for these conditions. We focus our treatment goals on managing any pain that children may have and improving their quality of life. The specific treatment will vary depending on the patient’s age, general health, medical history and diagnosis. Shriners Children’s Portland’s medical staff can conduct several tests to diagnose the type of disorder they may have, such as blood tests (genetic testing), muscle biopsy or electromyogram.

Shriners Children's Portland specialized in treating chest wall malformations of all degrees. All treatment decisions are guided by specialists who consider minimally invasive options for each child. All care is delivered under one roof, where the medical team works collaboratively to ensure that children benefit from the finest, most advanced pediatric care. Chest wall conditions treated for children include pectus excavatum (sunken chest), pectus carinatum (raised chest) and Poland syndrome. Services available at the clinic include pediatric orthopedic chest wall specialists, social work, radiology and orthotics.