Excellence and Expertise in Hip Care for Children of All Ages

Excellence and Expertise in Hip Care for Children of All Ages

by | Jun 3, 2026 | Hip Disorders

Published in Rite Up 2 – 2026. 

Peyton, 11 weeks old, of Point, Texas

Peyton is a happy baby who enjoys being held by her father as he dances around the living room. But, within Peyton’s first few minutes of life, her parents, Shelby and Reagan, learned that she had hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip socket does not fully cover the ball of the hip joint. “When Peyton was born, they moved her legs around, and you could hear them popping,” says Reagan, her father. At just 3 weeks old, Peyton and her family came to Scottish Rite for Children where they received care from pediatric orthopedic surgeon Elizabeth W. Hubbard, M.D. In Peyton’s first appointment, Dr. Hubbard diagnosed her with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Peyton’s left hip was completely dislocated, and her right hip was partially dislocated. Dr. Hubbard prescribed a soft brace called a Pavlik harness that held Peyton’s legs apart to keep the balls of her hip joints in their sockets. Peyton wore the harness 23 hours a day for two months.

“The younger the infant is at the time you initiate treatment, the more likely they are to be successful with nonoperative care,” Dr. Hubbard says.

Peyton’s mother, Shelby, is no stranger to Scottish Rite, though she has no memory of it. She, too, was born with DDH and was successfully treated at Scottish Rite with a Pavlik harness that she wore for seven weeks. Her mother still has it!

Peyton exhibits the most common risk factors — the four Fs — of DDH. She is the couple’s first child, a female with a family history of DDH, and she was positioned feetfirst, or breech, for part of the time during the third trimester of Shelby’s pregnancy. Except for bath time and diaper changes, Peyton’s parents ensured she wore the harness as recommended, and today, she is harness free.

“Peyton is a great example of early detection, early referral, early initiation of treatment and how great a response can be,” Dr. Hubbard says. “I expect her to roll, sit, stand, walk and run just as if she’d never had an issue.” To parents whose child may have just received a diagnosis of hip dysplasia, Reagan says, “Go to Scottish Rite, 100%! We have complete trust in them. They’ve given us peace of mind.

From newborns to teens, Scottish Rite for Children is world-renowned for its excellence and expertise in providing outstanding treatment for children of all ages with hip dysplasia. In the United States, approximately one to two babies per 100 are born with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Many factors exist that together may cause DDH, including female sex, where females are affected up to seven times more than males. In infants with mild cases, the hip may correct itself during close observation. In severe cases, the hip may be dislocated, like Peyton’s.

“The vast majority of kids that we treat with hip dysplasia are treated successfully with a Pavlik harness,” says pediatric orthopedic surgeon, William Z. Morris, M.D. “Even in our most severe cases with hip dislocations, we’ve published research at Scottish Rite that shows more than 90% are successfully treated without ever going to the operating room.”

While hip dysplasia most often presents at birth, some children are not identified until childhood. “We often meet these kids because they get referred for a limb length difference or a limp,” Dr. Morris says. “Because they’re over six months of age, unfortunately, a brace cannot treat their hip dislocation. The only way to get the ball back in the socket is through surgery.”

Patient Peyton smiles with pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Z. Morris
Scottish Rite for Children and Texas Woman’s University Receive Funding Award to Launch CP-TRAIN Initiative

Scottish Rite for Children and Texas Woman’s University Receive Funding Award to Launch CP-TRAIN Initiative

by | May 5, 2026 | Neurology, Press Coverage

Scottish Rite for Children, in partnership with Texas Woman’s University (TWU), has been awarded $285,000 through the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award Program, an initiative of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). 

The funding supports the launch of the Cerebral Palsy – Training in Research, Assessment and Intervention Network (CP-TRAIN). The initiative includes two years of work focused on improving care and outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.  

“The goal of CP-TRAIN is to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in patient-centered research that compares different treatments and approaches to advance CP outcomes,” said Angela Shierk, Ph.D., O.T.R., Scottish Rite senior scientist and project lead. “As a collaborative initiative, CP-TRAIN helps patients, families and clinicians better understand comparative clinical effectiveness research so they can actively engage in it.” 

Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect movement, balance and posture. Children with CP may have challenges walking, using their hands or engaging in other daily activities. Treatment for the condition varies but typically includes medication, as well as physical and occupational therapy. 

CP-TRAIN will work alongside people with cerebral palsy, their families, therapists, clinicians and researchers to create clear, easy-to-use educational resources. These materials will help individuals and families better understand research, feel confident taking part in studies and learn about effective assessments and therapy approaches that support everyday life and participation.  

“By working with families and community-based therapists as partners, we are helping ensure that future research reflects real-world needs and can be used in everyday practice,” said Heather Roberts, Ph.D., O.T.R., CP-TRAIN co-lead and associate director in the TWU School of Occupational Therapy. 

Together, Scottish Rite and TWU will build on an existing CP Task Force that was formed through a prior PCORI-funded project. “This award allows us to move from identifying priorities to preparing people to actively participate in research,” Shierk said. 

The CP-TRAIN program will deliver free, open-access educational content through a hybrid model that includes online learning modules, live virtual sessions and in-person activities. All materials will be co-developed with stakeholders to ensure inclusivity, accessibility and relevance across diverse care settings. 

“Pioneering research continues to be a key pillar that is foundational to our institution,” said Robert L. Walker, President and CEO of Scottish Rite for Children. “This generous award from PCORI will enhance our ability to advance care for children with cerebral palsy.” 

 Scottish Rite’s project and the other projects approved for funding by the PCORI Engagement Award Program were selected through a highly competitive review process in which applications were assessed for their ability to meet PCORI’s engagement goals and objectives, as well as program criteria.  

“This project was selected for Engagement Award funding because it will build a community equipped to participate as partners in comparative effectiveness research and develop partnerships and infrastructure to disseminate PCORI-funded research results,” said Greg Martin, PCORI’s Chief of Engagement, Dissemination and Implementation. “We look forward to working with Scottish Rite throughout the course of their two-year project.”  

Stepping Forward: KJ’s Path to Walking Tall

Stepping Forward: KJ’s Path to Walking Tall

by | Apr 6, 2026 | Pediatric Developmental Disabilities

Kenneth, also known as “KJ,” of Longview, Texas, is 6 years old and full of life. He plays baseball with The Miracle League of East Texas and spreads happiness wherever he goes. Though he needs assistance to walk, not much slows him down. Thanks to Scottish Rite for Children, he is gaining independence with the support of his custom hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis (HKAFO).

Born with spina bifida, KJ has been a patient at Scottish Rite since he was 6 weeks old. His mother, Melissa, remembers how her family’s connection to the Scottish Rite Masons made Scottish Rite the clear choice for KJ’s care. “We knew from the very beginning that it was the right place for him,” Melissa shares. “Scottish Rite has always felt like family to us.” 

KJ’s treatment has included years of physical therapy and a series of orthopedic orthoses to support his growth and mobility. He has used a wheelchair, ankle-foot orthoses and now a customized HKAFO to get around. Pediatric orthotist and prosthetist Reagan Bratten, C.P.O., L.P.O., specializes in fitting custom braces and supportive devices. She notes KJ’s determination drives his progress.

“The HKAFO is like an external Iron Man suit,” Reagan explains. “It locks out his knees and feet, giving him the support he needs to stand and walk with a walker. KJ has the core and hip strength, and this device helps him use it to move forward.” Above all, his enthusiasm stands out. Reagan says, “He never gives up, and he always brings joy and determination to every step he takes.” 

Though his progress hasn’t always been easy, KJ’s persistence shines through. “At first, when he began using the HKAFO, completing a single lap was a big achievement,” Reagan recalls. “Now, he’s up to four laps, and I’m just there to cheer him on.”

KJ’s dedicated family drives two and a half hours to Scottish Rite. The care they receive between appointments makes all the difference. “We do not live close, so having a team that responds quickly whenever we have a question is so helpful,” Melissa says. “Knowing we have that kind of support, even from far away, gives us so much peace of mind.”

For KJ, walking with his HKAFO means more than just mobility. He grows in independence and can see eye to eye with his friends. “Scottish Rite gives children back their childhood and makes possibilities happen,” Reagan says. “KJ is proof that with the right support, kids can do amazing things.”

Serving Up a Comeback: How Adriana and Dr. Chung Tackled Lumbar Spondylolysis

Serving Up a Comeback: How Adriana and Dr. Chung Tackled Lumbar Spondylolysis

by | Mar 27, 2026 | Sports Medicine

For 15-year-old Adriana of Prosper, Texas, volleyball is more than a sport. It is a bond she shares with her twin sister, Sofia. After years of playing together at home and school, the sisters joined a beach volleyball club dedicated to helping junior athletes develop their skills. But by midseason, Adriana’s dreams were sidelined by an unrelenting pain in her lower back.

“It started during practice when I was serving,” Adriana says. “At first, it just felt sore, but then it felt like something was stabbing me in the back.” Before long, the pain made even simple activities, like climbing stairs, difficult. A visit to Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco led to an evaluation with pediatric sports medicine physician Jane S. Chung, M.D. During the initial exam, Dr. Chung was concerned about a possible stress fracture in Adriana’s lower back. An MRI confirmed lumbar spondylolysis — a stress fracture in the lower spine caused by overuse.

“This type of injury is especially common in young adolescent athletes who participate in sports involving repetitive hyperextension, arching and twisting movements of the lower spine,” Dr. Chung says. “Overhead movements such as serving, blocking and hitting cause repetitive arching of the lower back in volleyball athletes.” Overuse-related stress fractures may also affect athletes in cheer, dance, gymnastics, soccer and football. These injuries need about three months of rest and rehabilitation before a safe and gradual return to play.

“I just thought I strained something or maybe tore a muscle,” Adriana says. “When I learned I’d need to take months off, I was really upset. My season wasn’t over yet, and I still had important games ahead.”

Her treatment included rest, a supportive back brace and a neutral core-specific physical therapy program. Adriana was matched with physical therapist Samantha Plaster, P.T., at Scottish Rite’s Therapy Services location at The Star in Frisco. Plaster had also played beach volleyball.

“I thought it was so great they got us in with a P.T. who played her sport,” says Courtney, Adriana’s mother. “They really took the time to create a connection, and it made a huge difference in her motivation and progress.”

Dr. Chung emphasizes the importance of rest, nutrition, sleep and cross-training for young athletes. “Their growing bodies need time to recover in between the repetitive movements from training and practices,” she says. She also highlights Scottish Rite’s team approach: “Our team works closely together to support each athlete’s unique recovery.”

Although Adriana was disappointed to miss out on playing, she is grateful she took the time to recover. “I’m really glad I listened to my doctors and focused on getting better,” she says. “Now, I feel stronger and more confident about returning to volleyball.”

Where Commitment Meets Care: Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

Where Commitment Meets Care: Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

by | Mar 26, 2026 | Neurology

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong condition that affects movement, muscle tone and coordination. When your child is diagnosed with CP, it can bring many questions and uncertainties about their future. Through early diagnosis and the support of a dedicated care team, many children with CP go on to learn functional skills and achieve important milestones. 

At Scottish Rite for Children, every child’s journey with CP is unique. Supporting that journey requires a multidisciplinary team who works together to help each child achieve their goals. For the family of 4-year-old Charlotte, this team approach has made a meaningful difference in their daughter’s life.

As an infant, Charlotte experienced seizures and initially received treatment at another facility in Ohio. Over time, her family noticed she favored using her left hand over her right. Because she experienced a stroke at birth followed by seizures, Charlotte was diagnosed at 1 week old with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, a form of CP that affects one side of the body. In Charlotte’s case, the condition impacts the right side.

“Before we moved to Dallas, our doctors spoke highly of Scottish Rite’s reputation and capabilities, especially their expertise in pediatric orthopedics and neurological disorders,” says Katie, Charlotte’s mother. “When we made it to Dallas, we made sure that our first step was setting up Charlotte’s care with Scottish Rite.”

Scottish Rite’s care teams share a common goal of empowering children with CP to reach their full potential and navigate their condition at home and in their communities. Charlotte’s treatment plan is led by pediatric orthopedic surgeon Lane Wimberly, M.D., and pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation physician Fabiola I. Reyes, M.D. To improve function and mobility on the right side of Charlotte’s body, specialists in Orthotics & Prosthetics and Occupational Therapy work together to create equipment that supports her mobility goals.

“The care we have received has been nothing short of great,” Katie says. “Since coming to Scottish Rite, we have seen huge strides in Charlotte’s development.”

For Charlotte’s family, her progress reflects the support they have found along the way, which is available for all patient families navigating life with CP. “Raising a child with CP is not something you can ever prepare for,” Katie says. “To have people in your corner fighting for the best care for you and your family is life-changing. Everyone we have encountered at Scottish Rite has been nothing short of incredible. We love it here!”

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