Bridging the Gap: How On-Site MRI Access is Transforming Pediatric Orthopaedic Care

For children with private insurance, advanced imaging like MRIs can often be scheduled within days. But for families with public insurance or no insurance at all, the wait can stretch into weeks or even months. This disparity creates a two-tiered system of care with serious consequences.

A seemingly minor knee injury can actually be a torn ACL or meniscus—injuries that, when diagnosed promptly, can often be repaired with minimally invasive procedures. But when diagnosis is delayed, what could have been a simple repair can deteriorate into a much more complex condition requiring extensive surgery, longer rehabilitation, and potentially lifelong complications.

Time Matters in Pediatric Orthopaedics

Children’s bodies heal differently than adults. Their growing bones and developing tissues mean that time is especially critical. A delay in diagnosis can lead to:

• Improper healing of injuries
• Development of compensatory movement patterns
• Secondary injuries as children adapt to pain
• Prolonged pain and suffering
• Missed school days and activities
• Psychological impacts from extended disability

Bringing MRI Access to All Children

At Luskin’s Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC), we believe every child deserves timely, high-quality care—regardless of their insurance status. That’s why we’re proud to announce the LuskinOIC Foundation’s Capital Campaign focused on adding an on-site MRI at our campus.

This new resource means:

• Significantly reduced wait times for all patients
• Seamless coordination between imaging and treatment teams
• Child-friendly protocols designed specifically for young patients
• Specialized pediatric radiologists interpreting results

The Community Impact

For our community, this investment means more than just a new piece of equipment. It represents our commitment to healthcare equity and our belief that no child should suffer unnecessarily because of insurance status.

With faster diagnosis comes faster treatment. Children return to school, sports, and normal activities sooner. Families experience less stress and financial strain from repeated appointments and prolonged care. And perhaps most importantly, we prevent many of the long-term complications that can arise from delayed treatment.

Join Us in Making a Difference

At LuskinOIC, our mission has always been to provide outstanding care for children with orthopaedic conditions, regardless of their families’ ability to pay. Our new on-site MRI facility is another step toward fulfilling that promise.

We invite you to learn more about how we’re working to eliminate healthcare disparities in pediatric orthopaedics and how you can support this important work. Because when it comes to children’s health, every moment—and every child—counts.

LuskinOIC is dedicated to providing world-class orthopaedic care to children regardless of their families’ ability to pay. To learn more about our services or to support our mission, visit LuskinOIC.org.