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Children’s Health℠ Orthopedic program is among the top five in the nation. If your child is diagnosed with one of these conditions, our specialists have the expertise to work together to provide outstanding care that ensures the best possible outcome for your child.
214-456-7697
Fax: 214-456-7901
469-303-3000
Fax: 469-303-4520
469-303-3000
Fax: 469-303-4520
469-303-3000
Fax: 469-303-4520
An orthopedic disorder is any abnormality or deformity of the skeleton and the structures that support the skeleton. Congenital disorders are present from birth, and hereditary disorders are transmitted from parents to their children through the genes. There are many different types of congenital and hereditary orthopedic disorders, and in most cases, children respond very well to treatment.
Metatarsus adductus is a common type of foot deformity that may be caused by the infant’s position in the womb. Children who have the condition are born with the front half of the foot turned in abnormally. It occurs twice as often in boys as in girls and may appear in one or both feet.
Clubfoot is a congenital deformity. An infant with clubfoot is born with a short, broad foot, the front part of which is turned inward. As with metatarsus adductus, one or both feet can be affected.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a congenital disorder in which the ball of the long bone in a child’s leg, called the femoral head, easily slips in and out of the hip socket.
Congenital limb defects occur in the womb, when a limb or a portion of a limb fails to develop completely or normally.
Osteogenesis imperfecta, sometimes called brittle bone disease, is an inherited disorder that causes bone collagen to form incorrectly or inadequately. As a result, a child can have very fragile bones and teeth that break easily.
Muscular dystrophy describes a number of inherited disorders that cause a child’s muscles to break down and become weak.
Symptoms of congenital and hereditary disorders vary, depending on the type of disorder your child has:
In infants with metatarsus adductus, the front of one or both foot bends inward.
With clubfoot, an infant’s foot points downward and turns inward. As with metatarsus adductus, one foot or both feet may be affected. If it’s not treated before your child starts walking, clubfoot can cause your child to walk on the sides of the feet.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip might not be noticeable, or you may observe that your newborn has less movement on one side of the body. You might also notice uneven skin folds around the thighs and on each side of the buttocks. One leg might appear shorter or turn out more than the other.
Symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta can be mild or severe. Children might be short or small, have weak muscles or a curved spine. Their bones fracture easily.
Muscular dystrophy symptoms may not appear until a child is older and they can vary depending on the type. In the most common form in children, called Duchenne muscular dystrophy, children fall more often than their peers do, walk on their toes and often have a delay in walking and language. They may have large calves and may have difficulty getting up normally after sitting or lying on the floor.
Take your child to the doctor if you notice the following symptoms:
Pediatricians and orthopedic specialists are familiar with normal skeletal development and movement. They often can tell when an infant is born whether a foot is formed improperly for example, and how severe the condition might be. Many congenital and hereditary orthopedic disorders, such as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), are diagnosed primarily with a thorough physical examination. Other times, children may need laboratory tests or X-ray and other imaging tests:
Every child with a congenital or hereditary orthopedic disorder will not necessarily need all of these tests. In fact, your child may need nothing more than a physical exam. Your physician will explain which tests may be necessary and why and will let you know what the next steps are.
The cause of many congenital disorders is unknown. Some are caused by the baby’s position in the womb, and sometimes the pregnant mother’s tobacco smoking or use of street drugs adds to risk of a congenital disorder. Often, there is no explanation for a congenital orthopedic disorder.
When an infant is born with an orthopedic disorder such as metatarsus adductus or clubfoot, a physician usually diagnoses and treats the disorder right after the baby is born. If treatment starts early, your child usually can walk normally, wear regular shoes, and lead an active life.
Some congenital and hereditary disorders are more serious than others, and each child is different. Your physician might recommend the following types of treatments, depending on the type and severity of the disorder:
Our care team is here to support you and help you understand everything you need to know about special exercises, the proper use of splints and other devices, the care of casts, and therapies that will help your child gain strength and improve function.
While muscular dystrophy is a progressive condition that may result in other health issues, our doctors can provide outstanding multidisciplinary care. For most other cases of congenital and hereditary orthopedic disorders, our team has the expertise and resources to provide care that will allow children to resume full, active lives following treatment.
In 1986, researchers identified the gene that changes to cause common forms of muscular dystrophy. Physicians and researchers have made tremendous strides in genetic research in the past decade and are using clinical trials to test how to stop the effects of genetic changes that cause hereditary orthopedic disorders.
Surgery was once the first treatment for some disorders such as clubfoot, but now physicians have less invasive ways to help your child. Your doctor often will recommend exercises, therapy or devices to correct a minor skeletal disorder before recommending surgery.
Unless a disorder is severe or attempts to correct the disorder fail, many congenital disorders can be corrected by the time a child begins walking. Other disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, become progressively worse. For all orthopedic disorders, your physician will recommend addressing the problem as early as possible for best results.
Physical and occupational therapy can help strengthen muscles and other structures that support your child’s skeleton. Children with more severe disorders might require speech therapy or respiratory therapy to help with breathing problems.
Muscular dystrophy is a progressive disorder, meaning it gets worse over time. Doctors continue to find new ways to help children with the disorder live and function better. Because muscular dystrophy weakens muscles, it can weaken the muscles that help with breathing and the heart.
Ultrasound is a common procedure for examining babies in the womb. It does not use ionizing radiation, the type used in X-ray examinations. Instead, ultrasound sends high-frequency sound waves into the body through a transducer. The sound wave echoes return and produce images on a computer monitor.