Simply put, pediatric orthopaedics is the specialty that treats bone defects that are acquired, genetic-related, and those that occur during gestation.
Orthopaedic conditions are prevalent among children.
Those children with congenital bone diseases and those who are suffering from musculoskeletal or developmental conditions can also benefit from the expertise of a pediatric orthopaedics specialist.
Some of the most common pediatric orthopaedic conditions among children are the following:
Foot
Hypermobile pes planus
While this condition often gets resolved when the child turns 6 years old, flexible feet is very common among children.
When symptoms of the condition will manifest, ankle stretch exercises and foot orthoses are often recommended.
Pes cavus
Pes cavus is a condition characterized by a high arch and will not respond to weight bearing.
Treatment approach can include physical therapy, orthotics, and in some cases, surgery.
In most cases however, the treatment approach used will depend on the condition’s severity.
Planovalgus deformity
While quite common, this condition is associated with cerebral palsy.
In ambulatory children, calcaneal lengthening will most likely be recommended to help correct deformities that are considered mild to moderate.
In non-ambulatory children suffering from a severe case of the condition, a high relapse rate is observed and surgery will often not help much.
Tarsal coalition
Common symptoms of this condition include a painful flat foot and calf muscle spasm.
Fortunately, tarsal coalition can be treated using noninvasive alternatives like casts and shoe inserts.
Severe cases of the condition however will often require surgery.
Toes
Curly toes
This condition will often affect the fourth and the fifth toes.
The condition is also considered hereditary.
In most cases, no symptoms will manifest for curly toes.
Thankfully, as much as 50 percent of cases are resolved as soon as the child turns 3 or 4 years old.
Otherwise, surgery will be recommended.
Hammer toe
This condition will often affect the second toe.
When the condition becomes painful, surgery might be the likely option.
Ingrowing toenail
A condition known as paronychia develops when the edge of the nail grows into its surrounding soft tissue.
Treatment can range from noninvasive alternatives like warm soaks and antibiotics to diverse surgical procedures.
Polydactyly
This condition is considered one of the most common among the many foot deformities.
Severity of the condition can range from soft tissue duplication to major skeletal abnormalities.
In severe cases, surgical intervention might be the recommended treatment route.
Knee
Patellar subluxation and dislocation
The typical treatment for this congenital disorder is immobilization.
However, surgery might be recommended in chronic cases.
Popliteal cyst or Baker’s cyst
Treatment option for the condition is often noninvasive.
In cases however where there is an underlying knee derangement, arthroscopy will most likely be required.
Tibial apophysitis
This condition will often respond very well to conservative treatment alternatives like bracing, activity modification, and orthotics.
Discoid lateral meniscus
The malformation of the lateral meniscus is considered congenital.
If the condition becomes too bothersome, surgery will be recommended.
Hip
Developmental dysplasia
This condition is a spectrum of disorders that affect the acetabulum, proximal femur, and the hips.
Long-term morbidity can be avoided given that the condition will be detected early.
Transient monoarticular synovitis
Known as the common cause of limping, this condition also often develops after a respiratory infection.
Treatment options for the condition can often include physiotherapy, rest, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.
Perthes’ disease
This condition is considered an idiopathic avascular necrosis affecting the femoral head.
Typical treatment intervention for the condition will often include analgesia, bed rest, and bracing.
In some cases however, a procedure redirecting the femoral head’s ball known as femoral varus osteotomy will be required to correct the condition.
If your child has an orthopaedic condition that needs expert attention, head to www.bjios.sg now.
