Bones & Muscles

Articles In This Section

• Scoliosis: Teens Talk (Video)

  Two teens talk about what it's like to have scoliosis, and how treatment has helped them look and feel better.

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Steven’s Story (Video)

  A teen athlete talks about why he won't let his condition take him out of the game.

• Fibromyalgia

  The chronic condition fibromyalgia causes widespread pain in the muscles, joints, and other areas of the body. Lifestyle changes and other strategies can help kids who have it feel better.

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

  Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) makes it difficult for a child to move around, walk, or breathe. Although there is no cure, therapy and other treatments help improve a child's skills.

• Costochondritis

  This type of chest pain may seem scary at first, but it's usually nothing to worry about. Most kids begin to feel better on their own after a few days.

• Broken Collarbone (Clavicle Fracture)

  Learn about broken collarbones (or clavicle fractures), a common sports injury in kids, including how to help prevent them.

• Torticollis

  Torticollis is a common condition that causes a stiff neck or neck pain that makes it difficult for kids to turn their heads.

• Infant Torticollis

  Babies with this condition have trouble turning their heads, due to muscle tightness. Simple stretching exercises can help make the problem go away.

• Kyphosis

  Everyone's spine is slightly rounded forward at a gentle angle. If this angle is too pronounced, more than 50 degrees or so, it's called kyphosis, also known as roundback or hunchback.

• What’s a Halo?

  Much like a fiberglass cast holds a broken arm or leg in place, a "halo" with vest holds a child's head and neck in place after a spinal injury so that spinal bones can heal.

• Panner’s Disease

  Panner's disease is a rare but painful bone condition linked to overuse of the elbow. Even though recovery can be slow, the condition usually doesn't cause any long-term problems.

• Sever’s Disease

  Sever's disease, a common heel injury in kids, is due to inflammation (swelling) of the growth plate in the heel. While painful, it's only temporary and has no long-term effects.

• What Is Pompe Disease?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)

  Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) refers to a shift at the upper part of the thighbone, or femur, that results in a weakened hip joint. Fortunately, when caught early, most cases of SCFE can be treated successfully.

• Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendonitis)

  Jumper's knee is an inflammation or injury of the patellar tendon. Although it can seem minor, it's actually a serious condition that can get worse over time and ultimately require surgery if not treated.

• Osteomyelitis

  Osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by germs entering the body's tissues through an open wound. The easiest way to prevent it is to practice good hygiene.

• Growth Plate Injuries

  Injuries to growth plates, which produce new bone tissue and determine the final length and shape of bones in adulthood, must be treated so that bones heal properly.

• Blount Disease

  Blount disease is a growth disorder that causes the bones of the lower leg to curve outward, making someone appear bowlegged.

• When Your Child Needs a Cast

  Casts keep bones in place while they heal. Depending on the severity of the injury, a cast can be worn for a few weeks to a few months.

• Knee Injuries

  Knee injuries are common among young athletes. Learn about causes, treatments, and prevention.

• Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries

  MCL injuries - which are common in active and athletic kids - happen when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries

  ACL injuries - which are common in active and athletic kids - happen when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

• Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

  Babies are born with this hip deformity or develop it soon after birth. With early treatent, kids can avoid long-term hip problems.

• In-toeing & Out-toeing in Toddlers

  What is in-toeing and how will it affect your child? Find out what the experts have to say.

• Nursemaid’s Elbow

  A quick tug of a toddler's arm can result in a partial dislocation of an elbow ligament, causing an injury known as nursemaid's elbow.

• Should I Worry About the Way My Son Walks?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Marfan Syndrome

  Marfan syndrome is a progressive genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue. Even though the disease has no cure, doctors can successfully treat just about all of its symptoms.

• Dwarfism

  Dwarfism is a condition that is characterized by short stature. Many of the possible complications of dwarfism are treatable, so that people of short stature can lead healthy, active lives.

• Frequently Asked Questions About Casts

  Getting a cast often comes with plenty of questions. Read on for answers to some frequent inquiries many parents - and kids - may have about casts.

• Scoliosis

  Everyone's spine curves, but some kids have scoliosis, which causes the spine to curve too much. Most cases don't require treatment, but even when they do, kids can usually resume an active life after treatment.

• Muscular Dystrophy

  There's no cure for muscular dystrophy (MD), a genetic disorder that gradually weakens muscles, but there are ways to improve muscle and joint function and slow deterioration so that kids with MD can stay as active as possible.

• Common Childhood Orthopedic Conditions

  Flatfeet, toe walking, pigeon toes, bowlegs, and knock-knees. Lots of kids have these common orthopedic conditions, but are they medical problems that can and should be corrected?

• Osgood-Schlatter Disease

  Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescents. It's really not a disease, but an overuse injury.