Pediatric Orthopedics: Common Conditions In Children

The concept of musculoskeletal health of children can be regarded as one of the most essential components of their health as it determines their growth and quality of life. It is important to treat pediatric orthopedic conditions, as if they are not effectively treated, a child may experience difficulty in movement, play, and use of their body.

With the help of this article, we will tell you about some of the orthopedic problems that the kids can suffer from.

Common Pediatric Orthopedic Conditions

Foot Conditions

• Metatarsus Adductus: This congenital condition is estimated to exist in 0.2% of newborns who have their front part of the foot adducted and may be rotated.
• Calcaneovalgus Foot: In newborns, this condition manifests with signs like exaggerated extenders of the dorsiflexed foot, forefoot abduction, and first overt valgus heel.
• Talipes Equinovarus (Clubfoot): This deformity is reflected in the pathology of the tibia, fibula, and foot bones, or rather their improper formation.

Toe Conditions

• Underlapping Toes (Curly Toes): It classically involves the fourth and fifth toes, is most often bilateral, and typically causes no symptoms. It can be expected that 25% to 50% of cases might disappear or be amenable to conservative management by age 3–4.
• Mallet Toe: Mild mallet toe doesn’t usually cause any problems and does not need treatment with surgery or splinting of the distal interphalangeal joint or proximal interphalangeal joint.

Leg Conditions

• Internal Tibial Torsion: This is the leading cause of in-toeing in children below the age of two years, and it results from twisting of the tibia. While it occurs, which is usually within a child’s first year, it typically clears up as the child starts to walk.
• External Tibial Torsion: Usually associated with calcaneovalgus foot, external tibial torsion is a condition in which the tibia twists laterally. Similar to internal torsion, which is mostly seen in children, it has a tendency of correcting itself when the child starts walking.
• Genu Varum (Bow-Legged): A condition that arises due to tightness of the posterior hip capsule, genu varum is fairly frequent in the baby and normally self-resolving by the age of two.
• Genu Valgum (Knock-Kneed): This is usually a fairly widespread disease that is not very dangerous and goes away by itself when the child is between 5-8 years old. If it remains untreated after the child is 10 years old, then the child may be compelled to undergo surgery.

Knee Conditions

• Popliteal cyst (Baker’s cyst): This cyst filled with fluid develops at the back of the knee, and most of the time, it does not need treatment unless the knee is damaged.
• Osteochondritis dissecans: It is a joint disease in which a part of the bone and cartilage splits apart because of the insufficient blood supply.
• Patellar Subluxation and Dislocation: A non-traumatic illness of the human knee joint that is characterized by the fact that the kneecap dislocates and usually requires a person to be immobilized. If the dislocations are recurrent, then surgery is usually done.

Spine Conditions

• Scoliosis and kyphosis: These conditions are characterized by the presence of curves of the spine that are not normal.
• Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolysis refers to a fracture in the vertebra, which can result in spondylolisthesis, meaning that one vertebra slips over the other.

Wrist Conditions

• Ganglion: A fluid-filled cyst on the skeletal system manifests in the back of the wrist area. It is rather advisable to leave this formation untreated unless the cyst causes any kind of discomfort or pain.
• Radial Club Hand: This deformity results from a failure to develop the radius bone; it can be congenital or the result of osteomyelitis or trauma.

Hand and Finger Conditions

• Polydactyly and Syndactyly: Polydactyly is the condition where an individual has more than five fingers and/or toes, while syndactyly is where fingers or toes are joined together.
• Congenital Trigger Thumb and Finger: This is developed due to tendon or muscle contractility and results in a locked or stiff digit. Surgical release is normally effective in the treatment of the condition.

Conclusion

It is important to diagnose and manage children's orthopedic disorders and conditions soon enough to receive the best results. This means that parents or caregivers alongside health care practitioners need to act swiftly and ensure proper diagnosis and treatment so that children’s strong musculoskeletal systems are built.

Consult Dr. Rajesh Malhotra, one of the best orthopedic surgeon for any kind of pediatric orthopedic condition.

FAQs

What are pediatric orthopedic conditions?

Pediatric orthopedics treats the musculoskeletal system disorders in children, such as fractures, congenital abnormalities, scoliosis, development abnormalities like hip dysplasia or clubfoot, and others.

What is the most common orthopedic condition?

The leading orthopedic problem among adults is osteoarthritis, a degenerative of the knees, hips, and hands joint disease. But in children it is quite different; some of the illnesses that are more frequent include fractures and congenital deformities.