As your little one grows and starts learning to stand or walk, you may suddenly notice any abnormality or change in their movement and growth. Some of the problems are temporary and disappear gradually, without any treatment, and others become severe with age, and require a proper orthopedic care. So, it is important to see a doctor whenever you observe such types of changes in your child.
Some of the common pediatric orthopedic problems that occur are:
- It is a congenital deformity (from birth)
- Where the foot points downward and twists inward.
- In extreme cases, the foot may also point up.
- It is also termed as congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV).
- Flat feet: Most of the children have no symptoms, but some of the children will have the following symptoms:
- Pain or tenderness
- Cramping in the leg and foot
- The heel is tilted outward
- Changes in walk
- Child hesitates in playing or participating in activities.
- Toe walking:
- Toe walking means the child walks on the toes or the balls of the toes.
- If your child walks like this till the age of 2 years, don’t delay, and visit to a doctor.
- This condition can be associated with tightness and stiffness of the leg muscles.
- It can be linked with other underlying diseases like cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy.
- In-toeing (Pigeon toes):
- It is the most common problem seen in infants and toddlers.
- Usually goes as the baby grows, but sometimes it becomes more severe.
- In this condition, the front of the foot turns inwardswhen they walk.
- In some children, it is accompanied with other foot anomalies like clubfoot.
- Bowlegs (genu varum):
- It is quite common in toddlers.
- As the baby grows, it interferes with walking.
- The problem disappears by the age of 5-6 years.
- It can be associated with underlying medical conditions.
- Knock knees (genu valgum):
- It is an angular deformity of the knee.
- In this condition, when the child stands, the knees touch each other but the ankle doesn’t touch.
- Becomes apparent at the age of 2 or 3, but can be severe by the age of 4.
- It can be associated with some underlying bone problems like osteomalacia or rickets.
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