Wendy Ramalingam, MD

As a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, I tend to be conservative with my treatment options. I only recommend surgery if a patient has exhausted all non-operative treatments or if surgery is truly necessary.

I strive to help children with any orthopedic problem. I believe in shared decision-making with patients and parents as we find solutions that are best for everyone.

I specialize in caring for children and adolescents with orthopedic trauma, limb deformity, pediatric musculoskeletal infections, pelvis and acetabulum fractures, and skeletal dysplasia. I also provide limb lengthening and reconstruction as well as general pediatric orthopedic care.

I wanted to be a pediatric orthopedic surgeon since I was a teenager. I tore both of my ACLs (anterior cruciate ligaments) playing basketball and needed surgery. The idea of fixing an injured person to restore function and allow them to return to regular life and activities intrigued and excited me. After I shadowed my surgeon in the operating room for a day, my mind was made up. I chose to specialize in pediatric orthopedic surgery because I’ve always loved children and I think kids are the best patients. Children love to play and have fun, which makes my clinic days playful and fun. I find it rewarding to help kids feel better after an injury and improve their quality of life.

My research focuses on improving outcomes in pediatric orthopedic trauma surgery. I am a member of the CORTICES pediatric orthopedic study group, which works to improve orthopedic care. I also serve as the Cincinnati Children’s site principal investigator for the IMPACTT orthopedic clinical trials. This work studies ways to standardize and improve orthopedic care for medial epicondyle fractures and distal radius fractures.

I am honored to be a member of several orthopedic organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American Osteopathic Association Medical Honor Society, the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. I take part in the American Orthopaedics Association Emerging Leaders program. I was chosen to represent the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society at the AAOS/OREF/ORS Clinician Scholar Career Development program. I was humbled to join our department’s annual mission trip to India to treat children with orthopedic conditions living in an underserved population.

When I’m not at work, I keep myself busy and active with three young boys (one set of twins!) and our chocolate lab who love to go hiking, play in the creek and play in the mud. You can often find us riding our bikes to a local park or ice cream parlor. I love Skyline Chili, Graeter’s Ice Cream and traveling to new places.

Here are some fun facts about me: I grew up on a farm in Warren County, Ohio. I showed cows at the Warren County fair and my family is still active in agriculture. They grow corn, soybeans and wheat in addition to raising beef cattle.