Every day, children are born with various orthopedic problems that can seriously affect their lives, if they are not treated well in time. Orthopedic conditions in children occur because their bodies including their bones, muscles and joints are still developing. These problems are primarily of the bone, joint, spine and limb development in the growing child. These problems can be congenital (i.e. present at birth), developmental (occurring spontaneously during growth) or traumatic.
Most parents are concerned about normal physiological conditions that are a part of the natural development in the growing skeleton. However, medical treatment is not needed as these aren’t diseases; they are conditions which are completely normal to have been seen in kids. These include flexible flat feet, in-toeing, bowlegs and knocked knees.
According to Dr.Zaid Al Aubaidi, “Other conditions which are of a great concern to the parents are the problems with the hips in kids. This is a very big problem in the UAE in general and is majorly due to the environmental as well as genetic factors. Environmental factors like swaddling affects hips and can also lead to dislocation of the hips. “
“The other area of concern is the problems with the spine mainly curved spines called scoliosis. 2-3% of the UAE population suffers from scoliosis and around 10% kids are suffering from abnormality of hips. Both the hips as well as the spine conditions need special strong screening programs. At Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery Dubai we are working towards developing such strong screening programs and are planning to address it with non-surgical means provided the patients come well in time otherwise they have be treated through surgery. Also, there are many syndromes that develop due to relative marriage i which leads to deformity of legs and arms and these needs to be picked up early and corrected” said Dr.Zaid.
“Additionally, Chest Deformity is also very common in the UAE. We at Burjeel Hospitals are treating chest deformity in the form of Pigeon Chest and Funnel Chest. The Pigeon Chest is a cosmetic deformity, a deformity of the chest characterized by a protrusion of the sternum and ribs. The Funnel chest is an abnormal development of the rib cage where the chest caves in and can affect the respiratory system and the lungs of the patient. The more the chest goes to the inside, the more pressure will be on the lungs which in turn affect the breathing. Both conditions can be treated and it’s very important to pick them yearly. We at Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery have special orthotics to treat them and it is the only center in the whole UAE that is treating these conditions”, added Dr.Zaid
Orthopedic conditions in children are common and therefore it is imperative to get timely advice from medical experts before it gets aggravated.
Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery, Dubai
Dr. Zaid Al Aubaidi, Consultant Pediatric Orthopedic & Pediatric Spine Surgeon, lists down the top Orthopedic Issues in Children