Abnormal Posture in Children

Question 1

What is torticollis?

Answer 1

Known as wry neck

Painfully twisted neck

Question 2

What are the symptoms of torticollis?

Answer 2

Tumour occurs in 1st few weeks of life
Mobile and non fluctuant nodue
Felt within SCM
Restriction of head turning and tilting

Question 3

What can cause torticollis?

Answer 3

SCM tumour

Muscular spasm

Secondary to ENT infection, spinal tumour, cervical spine arthritis/malformation

Question 4

What is Scoliosis?

Answer 4

Lateral curvature of spine

Rotation of vertebral bodies causing prominence in the back from rib asymmetry

Question 5

What are the causes of scoliosis?

Answer 5

Idiopathic- early onset or girls during puberty
Congenital- spina bifida
Secondary to other disorders e.g. cerebral palsy

Question 6

What are the symptoms of scoliosis?

Answer 6

Uneven shoulders
Curve in spine
Uneven hips

Question 7

What is the management of scoliosis?

Answer 7

Mild- self resolves or progresses minimally

Severe

• XR to determine severity
• specialist spinal centre
• brace considered
• surgery if severe or existing pathology

Question 8

What is clubfoot?

Answer 8

AKA talipes equinovarus

Entire foot is inverted and supinated
Forefoot adducted and heel rotated inwards
Foot in plantar flexion

Affected foot is shorter and calf muscles thinner and fixed in position

Often bilateral

Question 9

What are some of the cases and the risk factors of clubfoot?

Answer 9

Male=RF

Idiopathic
Secondary to oligohydraminos, malformation syndrome or neuromuscular syndrome e/g/ spina bifida
Familial

Question 10

What is the management of clubfoot?

Answer 10

Plaster casting and bracing

Severe- surgery

Question 11

What is flat feet?

Answer 11

Older children and teens is pathological

Absence of normal arch on tip toeing

Can be due to tendo-achilles contracture or tarsal condition or inflammatory arthropathy e.g. JIA