Bone and Joint Problems of Children Flashcards
What do these conditions usually present with?
Limp (i.e. lower limb)
Are these conditions generally more common in males or females? Why?
Males - linked to development and growth, along with the presence of epiphyseal growth plates. Particularly the growth spurt in puberty putting strain on the growth plate (this is woven bone, so it is a weak spot that can collapse if you put pressure on it).
Most babies are born with flatfeet and develop arches as they grow - if the arches never fully develop, what is this called?
Flat foot
The parents of babies with flat feet often first notice what about their child?
“Weak ankles” noticed when they first start walking - the ankles appear to turn inward
How is flat foot treated?
Orthotics
Surgery (to shave tarsal bones to be the right shape)
Physiotherapy (to exercise dorsiflexors)
What is most flat foot caused by?
Muscle imbalance
Toe walking is common among toddlers as they learn to walk, i.e. it is…?
It generally disappears by what age?
Idiopathic (habitual)
Age 2
Persistent toe walking in older kids might be linked to other conditions, such as…? (3)
Cerebral palsy
Duchenne (muscular dystrophy)
Nervous system problems
Persistent toe walking in otherwise healthy children may require treatment - how is it treated?
Castingthe foot and ankle for about 6 weeks to help stretch calf muscles.
Surgery to release tight calf muscles (i.e. lengthen Achilles’ tendon)
Talipes equinovarus - what is this?
Club foot - fixed varus and equinus deformity
What is club foot due to?
Calf underdevelopment (dorsiflexors are too strong, plantar flexors are not working as well)
What is the epidemiology of club foot?
1:1000
50% bilateral
M:F ration = 2:1
What is club foot associated with? (5)
Breech presentation
Connective tissue disorders e.g. Ehlers Danlos
Oligohydramnios
Genetic syndromes (Edward’s Syndrome – trisomy 18)
Family history
What happens in Ehlers Danlos?
Collagen in tendons and ligaments is too stretchy, gets disorganised during development
Why does oligohydramnios cause club foot?
Causes constraint injury, infant can’t move around in the amniotic cavity, leading to the feet being pushed up against the wall of the uterus. Can’t kick/develop muscles during intrauterine growth.
How is club foot treated?
Ponseti method – manipulative technique to correct clubfoot without invasive surgery
How successful is the Ponseti method?
Painless / fast / successful in almost 100% of cases
When does congenital hip dysplasia present?
Present at birth
Is congenital hip dysplasia more common in boys or girls?
What other risk factors are there?
Girls
Breech delivery, genetics
How many children per 1000 have CDH?
1.5 per 1000