In The Spotlight: Francois D. Lalonde, M.D., Orthopaedic Surgery

Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowships (Two):
San Diego Children’s Hospital and Health Center, University of Ottawa, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Residency:
University of Ottawa, Children’s Hospital of
Eastern Ontario

Internship:
Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University

Medical Degree:
University of Toronto

Master’s Degree (Medical Education):
University of Toronto

“It was a chance to be a part of things from the ground up,” recalls orthopaedic surgeon Francois D. Lalonde, M.D., on why he choose to practice at CHOC after completing two pediatric orthopaedic surgery fellowships at San Diego Children’s Hospital and Health Center. “I knew CHOC was expanding, and I was impressed with the plans for The CHOC Orthopaedic Institute.”

Since joining the medical staff at both CHOC and CHOC at Mission just a little over two years ago, the internationally recognized authority on pediatric orthopaedic hip disorders has taken an active role at both hospitals. Dr. Lalonde directs the infant and adolescent hip disorders program at The CHOC Orthopaedic Institute. He is also section chair of the CHOC Orthopaedic Department and serves on the CHOC Ambulatory Care Committee. Additionally, Dr. Lalonde is a member of the CHOC at Mission Medical Education Committee.

Dr. Lalonde is one of the few board-certified pediatric orthopaedic surgeons in Orange County. The CHOC Infant and Hip Disorders Program is rapidly growing under his direction. To facilitate early identification of infants at risk for developmental hip dysplasia, a portable ultrasound provides “one stop” convenience for parents and referring physicians.

Equally concerned about older children and adolescents, the hip program provides new techniques for hip arthroscopy, surgical dislocation of the hip, impingement of the femoral head and other hip pathologies. Dr. Lalonde is in the process of developing and maintaining a hip database for future research studies.

In addition to hip and foot conditions, Dr. Lalonde’s clinical interests include general orthopaedics, Ponseti casting for clubfoot, cerebral palsy, benign bone tumors and fractures.

Internationally Recognized Expertise
Dr. Lalonde has a commitment to education that extends well beyond CHOC. In addition to his medical degree, he has a master’s degree in medical education. Prior to relocating to Orange County, he was a faculty member at the University of California, San Diego. He is currently an assistant professor on the voluntary
faculty at the University of California, Irvine, where he also serves on the education committee for the orthopedics department.

On the national level, Dr. Lalonde is active on the education committee for the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America (POSNA). He is also a member of the
multi-media education committee for the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine.

Francois Lalonde, M.D., is in practice at Adult & Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons, the only pediatric orthopaedic group in Orange County. He has offices in both Orange and Mission Viejo. To arrange a referral to Dr. Lalonde, please call (714) 633-2111. For more information about The CHOC Orthopaedic Institute, call (800) 329-2900.

Selected Bibliography:
Journal
The Healing Forearm Fracture: A Matched Comparison of Forearm Refractures. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, October/November 2007, Volume 27, Issue 7, 2007, pg. 743

Intramedullary Flexible Nail Fixation of Unstable Pediatric Tibial Diaphyseal Fractures. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, September/October, 2005, Volume 25, Issue 5, P 570

Podium Presentation
POSNA Annual Meeting, San Diego, 2006: Delaying The Treatment Of Supracondylar Fractures. Has The Pendulum Swung Too Far?

POSNA Annual Meeting, San Diego, 2006: A Comprehensive Classification Scheme For Pediatric Proximal Tibial Fractures

Textbook
Dr. Lalonde co-wrote the Tibia, Ankle and Foot chapters for Rang’s Children’s Fractures, Philadelphia, 2005. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

The CHOC Orthopaedic Institute specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex orthopaedic injuries, illnesses and disorders in infants, children and adolescents. Highly experienced pediatric orthopaedic surgeons and specialists, along with a multidisciplinary team, provide a complete range of clinical, surgical and ancillary support services in one setting.

Specialty programs include:
• CHOC Spine Center
• Infant and Adolescent Hip Disorder Program
• Sports Medicine Program
• Clubfoot and Foot Disorder Program
• Musculoskeletal Tumor Program
• Hand Program
• Neuromuscular Disease Program
• Trauma and Fracture Care