10 Common Child Orthopaedic Problems

Orthopaedic is that sphere of medical branch that deals with the study of musculoskeletal mechanism in human being, especially the muscles, joints and spine. Orthopaedic especially deals with the amelioration of disfigurement and disorders related to the musculoskeletal mechanism, so it can be referred as a chore treatment of bones and back pain.

Child orthopaedic is a specific branch of orthopaedics treatment that deals with the all kind of issues related to children’s musculoskeletal complications that are still in its growth stage. This also involves musculoskeletal issues of young adults which are screech of their infant disease.

Children are future adults. During childhood they are at their growing phase physically, mentally though as well but here we will focus only on physical growth. As the bones and muscles are not fully grown during this stage all types of deformities and other problems related to orthopaedic is quite different than that from a full grown adult. Some of the child orthopaedic issues are discussed here.

Orthopaedic problems that children deals with:

Here are 10 common orthopaedic problems in infants that they face during their childhood are talked about below. This will make you aware of all the musculoskeletal diseases and it symptoms that you might notice and take care of.

Trigger Thumb- Trigger thumb in children is especially seen in upper limb area where the thumb is locked is locked in a crooked position. Often this leads to swelling and pain in the thumb generally in the base area. In this case the thumb pops, clicks or catches when they try to stretch it straight. This problem is seen usually during the age span of 2-3 years old.
Flat feet- Most of the infants are born with this flat feet problem but with the time as they grow the arches develop gradually. Though in some cases the arches never develops fully. This problem is generally noticed by the child’s parents and they consider it as weak ankles since it occurs in the foot and ankle area. But this problem is not to worry about and doctor only recommends a treatment for it if it’s painful.
Bowlegs- Bowlegs which is also known as genu varum seen in knee area. It is an excessively outward bending at the knee area. This is a very common problem amongst kids and it automatically corrects itself as the child grows and form a normal shape. But in many cases it may be a serious problem if it doesn’t recovers naturally after the age of 2 yrs and results into Blount disease or rickets.
In-Toeing- In-toeing is commonly known as pigeon toes. Kids who walk with their feet turned inwards are considered as having pigeon toe. This condition is noticed is noticed in many children and is caused due to several reasons. But this is a very mild problem and it resolves easily as the child grows that too in their earlier stages of growth (under six years of age). This problem is not critical and if consulted with paediatric orthopaedist they can be solved with proper treatments that undergoes splinting or casting if it’s seen after 2-3 years of age.
Knock-Knees- This is also called Genu valgum and is seen during the age of 3-6 years as the child goes through a natural shift. In this condition the knees angle inwards and they touch one another when the legs are kept straight. But in few severe cases it’s seen that the knees unable to touch each other when the legs are kept simultaneously.
External Tibial Torsion- In this case it is an inward twist of the shine-bone and it is different from Intoeing since it may cause major physical disability. This situation normally worsens up during late childhood stage and may result into polio.
Femoral anteversion- In most of the normal cases femoral anteversion is 40 degree in a new-born baby which reduces to 10 degree almost within 8 years of age. Though this problem doesn’t result into hip arthritis. Continuous treatment and corrected effort in walking postures till adolescence can reduce it and almost solve this problem.
Growing Pains- This condition is notice as the child is in its growth stage. The body experiences pain as it goes through growth spurts. This problem in children happens during two different phase of their growth, one is during the age span of 2-3 years and the other is 8-12 years. Though this case is considered as general amongst children but if it causes major pain then the parents need to consult a child specialist.
Sever’s disease- This problem in a child occurs when they are 8-13 years old depending on whether it is a boy or a girl, the heel bones grow through certain localized changes during growth spurt. They often notice a swell or pain in their heel area and the bottom part of the foot. This can be solved by proper treatment recommendation from an orthopaedic specialist.
Radial Club- This occurs due to incomplete or complete absence of bones of outer forearms. At the early age of 1 year old this can be cure through plaster and application of braces. If a child with such problem is ignored they can stay disabled and depend on others for the rest of their life.