Orthopedic conditions are those related to the musculoskeletal system, such as the spine, muscles, and where joints come together. Many people think that only the elderly need to worry about such conditions, as their bodies start to wear down from years gone by. However, on the opposite end of the age spectrum, the young and growing may experience similar problems.
If your child is experiencing unusual pain or soreness, consider these orthopedic conditions commonly found in children:
- Growing pains: This condition is just as it sounds – pain experienced as the body goes through growth spurts. Typically, there are two age groups that will have growing pains: 3 to 5 years old and 8 to 12 years old, give or take a year or two, depending on your child's physical maturity. While growing pains are often considered normal, they should not cause debilitation, such as limping, severe pain, or achiness in one specific spot in the body, and may require medical attention if they do.
- Bowed legs: Everyone is born with bowed legs due to the position a fetus develops in-utero. However, by the age of 2, toddlers should normally outgrow the condition. If your young child is still walking with bowed legs, it could be indicative of underlying orthopedic problems or diseases.
- Pigeon toes: Technically called in-toeing, pigeon toes result due to an infant's natural instincts to turn their feet inward for balance as they first start to stand and walk. While the behavior starts out innocuous, it can eventually lead to awkward movements or painful walking later in life if your child never learns to walk with straight feet. Minimal orthopedic intervention is usually required to correct this condition.
- Trigger finger: The causes of this condition are not entirely clear in the medical community but the symptoms are – a finger rests in a bent position and only straightens with unusual effort and a snap, sometimes audible. Children may develop symptoms of trigger finger as their tendons and joints develop, or if they frequently engage in intricate activities that require the use of their digits, such as complicated puzzles or video games.
- Flatfeet: The arch of the foot does not develop normally and a child is left with completely flat feet. In many situations, this can cause difficulty running and painful spikes when walking or standing for a long period of time. Flatfoot treatment is highly recommended, as it may be somewhat easy to correct yet is unnecessarily debilitating if left unaddressed.
- Sever's disease: Between the ages of 8 to 13, depending on if your child is a boy or a girl, the heel bone will go through a localized growth spurt. During this time, it is incredibly sensitive to impact and overuse. Your child may experience pain and swelling around the heel and the bottom of their foot, known as Sever's disease. An orthopedic specialist can help you find a solution to this condition.
Caring and Compassionate Help for Your Children
At Orthopedic Specialists of South Florida, our Miami-Dade orthopedic specialists have years of experience helping people, young and old, find comfort in their daily lives through orthopedic solutions. Your child should not have to worry about pain and awkwardness when possible treatments are out there. This is why we are proud to offer excellent and compassionate service and competitive pricing. Call 305.822.0401 today to learn more information about who we are and what we do for our patients.