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About

Renowned for his innovative techniques and thoughtful patient care, Dr. Arun Hariharan is deeply committed to nurturing lasting relationships with families, guiding them through every step of their child’s recovery journey with genuine empathy and understanding. His unwavering dedication to continuous improvement and academic excellence ensures that families in West Palm Beach not only receive expert medical care but are also comforted by the knowledge that their child’s well-being is the central focus of his practice.

Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach

Dr. Arun Hariharan

Dr. Hariharan, a board-certified and double fellowship-trained pediatric orthopedic surgeon, joined the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute in October 2022. Dr. Hariharan is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for children with spine-related conditions, hip dysplasia, and pediatric fractures.

His extensive experience spans the full spectrum of pediatric orthopedics, with a specialized focus on complex spinal deformities, early detection and treatment of hip dysplasia, and advanced techniques in managing childhood fractures. Dr. Hariharan’s passion for improving outcomes through personalized care makes him a trusted expert for families seeking exceptional orthopedic care for their children.

Background

Dr. Arun Hariharan attended medical school at the University of Michigan and completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Maryland. He further pursued his passion for pediatric orthopedics through a fellowship at the Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, specializing in pediatric orthopedic surgery. To refine his expertise in advanced spine surgery techniques, he trained at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, completing a dedicated pediatric spine fellowship.

Dr. Hariharan is an accomplished researcher, having authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and presented at national conferences. He is a member of the Harms Study Group (HSG)/Setting Scoliosis Straight, a prestigious collaborative focused on advancing spinal deformity care. Notably, he received the prestigious Russel A. Hibbs Best Clinical Research Paper Award and the Louis A. Goldstein Best Clinical Research Poster Paper Award at the Spine Research Society Meeting in 2020.

Dr. Hariharan treats the full spectrum of pediatric orthopedic conditions, including fractures, with a particular focus on complex spinal conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and spondylolisthesis. He also specializes in managing hip dysplasia, spina bifida, and skeletal dysplasias, as well as offering tailored care for children with Prader-Willi Syndrome. His surgical expertise extends to advanced procedures like Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT), halo traction, and growth-friendly techniques, including MAGEC rods.

A firm advocate of evidence-based medicine and cutting-edge technology, Dr. Hariharan is committed to providing the most up-to-date and effective care for his patients. He takes pride in tailoring treatments to each child’s unique needs, ensuring optimal outcomes.

Outside of work, Dr. Hariharan cherishes time with his wife, their two sons, and their dogs. He is an avid fan of Michigan Football and Basketball.

Education & Training

Undergraduate

  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Residency

  • University of Maryland/R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center,
    Baltimore, MD
    Orthopedic Surgery

Medical School

  • University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI

Fellowship

  • Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Nemours/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
  • Pediatric Spine Surgery Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

Assistant Professor

  • FAU School of Medicine 

Hospital Affiliations

Professional Affiliations

  • American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
  • Scoliosis Research Society
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America
  • Florida Orthopedic Society
  • Harms Study Group

Awards

  • Palm Beach Top Doctor 2022, 2023, 2024

Dr. Arun Hariharan's Areas of Interest

  • Growth plate injuries and disorders
  • Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
  • Leg length discrepancy
  • Osteochondritis dissecans
  • Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)
  • Perthes disease
  • Pediatric flatfoot
  • Tarsal coalition
  • Pediatric sports injuries, including overuse injuries
  • Patellar dislocation and instability
  • Pediatric trigger finger and trigger thumb
  • Kyphosis, including Scheuermann’s disease
  • Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
  • Spina bifida
  • Tethered spinal cord syndrome
  • Congenital spine anomalies
  • Early onset scoliosis
  • Juvenile scoliosis
  • Adolescent scoliosis
  • Young adult scoliosis
  • Cervical spine disorders, including atlantoaxial instability
  • Vertebral body tethering
  • Prader Willi Syndrome
  • Down Syndrome
  • Cri-du-Chat Syndrome
  • MAGEC rods
  • Cerebral palsy: spasticity management, orthopedic interventions
  • Muscular dystrophies
  • Spinal muscular atrophy
  • Charcot Marie Tooth
  • Myelomeningocele (a form of spina bifida)
  • Hereditary sensory and motor neuropathies
  • Upper and lower extremity fractures, including complex periarticular injuries
  • Growth plate fractures and their complications
  • Polytrauma management
  • Non-accidental trauma (child abuse)
  • Compartment syndrome in children
  • Sports-related injuries and concussions
  • Achondroplasia and other forms of dwarfism
  • Osteogenesis imperfecta Marfan syndrome
  • Fibrous dysplasia
  • Metabolic bone diseases affecting children (e.g., rickets, osteopetrosis)
  • Mucopolysaccharidoses (e.g., Hurler syndrome)
  • Diastrophic dysplasia
  • Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita
  • Pediatric bone and joint infections (osteomyelitis, septic arthritis)
  • Benign bone tumors and cysts (e.g., unicameral bone cyst, osteochondroma)

Publications