Most Common Orthopedic Disorders In Children!

Introduction

The gait pattern of a child varies considerably within the normal range. The child should be allowed to establish his own normal gait pattern. During the toddling stages, the child's shoe soles should be flexible enough to bend at the toe, but sometimes kids suffer from conditions where their feet might not be in the correct form or size, one thing which will have an effect on their posture.

Most of the times the disorders get corrected themselves as youngsters grow old, however, there will be things where medical attention is needed. Others don't or become more severe because of other medical conditions. But many orthopedic (bone) conditions, just like dimples or cleft chins, are just normal variations of human anatomy that don't need to be treated.

As time passes, you may notice that your child's growth isn't completely on the straight and narrow. These conditions will be normal variations within the anatomy as well that do not need treatment. A number of the common orthopedic disorders found in children include:

Common Orthopedic disorders in children

->Flat Feet: 

While most babies are born with flat feet that develop arches as they grow, in some cases the arches stay underdeveloped even after they age. Parents often first notice this because their child has what they describe as "weak ankles" (which appear to turn inward because of the way the feet are planted). Their feet might flip inwards whereas they walk due to their flat nature.

There's no inherent problem in this condition unless it becomes painful. Doctors might suggest special footwear with arches inserted for support to scale back the pain. Doctors only consider treatment if it becomes painful.

Parents sometimes worry that flatfeet will make their kids clumsier than other kids, but doctors say that being flatfooted isn't a cause for concern and shouldn't interfere with playing sports.

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->Toe Walking: 

Toe walking isn't a disorder while your kid is simply learning to walk. Toddlers who still walk on their toes after the age of three might need medical attention. Toe walking on one leg or persistent toe walking will be due to different medical conditions like muscle weakness, cerebral palsy or autism.

It's recommended to take your kid to a therapist for casting the foot and ankle joint which might facilitate stretch the muscles. Once a child is around age 4 or 5, casting the foot and ankle for about 6 weeks may be needed to help stretch the calf muscles.

->Pigeon Toes: 

In-toeing or pigeon, toeing is common among babies when they are first learning to walk. Typically youngsters higher than three years walk with their toes inwards which might ensue to leg bone anteversion. This happens when the upper part of the leg bends over it naturally ought to, inflicting inward rotation of the feet. Intoeing can have a few different causes that are normal variations in the way the legs and feet line up.

Doctors rarely have to treat pigeon-toed feet, specially designed shoes and braces will facilitate to correct this condition. Usually, the condition corrects on its own with age and doesn't interfere with sports activities that involve running.

->Knock-Knees: 

it's a typical tendency among kids aged between three and six to develop knock-knees (genu valgum), since their bodies undergo a natural shift in alignment. Usually, treatment isn't needed because the legs straighten out eventually.

Knock knees on one aspect or persistent knock knees might need medical attention. Youngsters with this disorder might suffer from pain therefore in some cases surgery is suggested after the age of ten.

->Bowlegs

Bowleggedness (also called genu varum) is a condition where a child’s legs bend inward from the knees down. It’s common in infants but generally goes away as the child grows older.

Bowleggedness beyond the age of 2 or bow leggedness that only affects one leg can be a sign of a larger problem, such as rickets or Blount disease. You should also take your child to the doctor if bow leggedness is only on one side or gets progressively worse.

A kid’s needs are unique. Parents will seek care from Orthopedic Doctor, who are dedicated to providing personalized child-friendly treatments and to inform them about the conditions that their kids may have. As long as the child is developing properly and without any other conditions, let them perceive that everything will be fine.