Related Conditions and Treatments
Achondroplasia
Condition
Achondroplasia is a genetic bone disorder, affecting one in 20,000 babies. It is the most common type of dwarfism.
Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Condition
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a neurologic condition that can cause muscle weakness and possible paralysis.
Bowlegs
Condition
Bowlegs (genu varum) is a condition in which a child’s legs curve outward at the knees.
Broken Ankle
Condition
A broken ankle typically involves one or both of the long bones of the leg, the tibia and the fibula.
Broken Femur (Thighbone)
Condition
A broken femur is a fracture of the thighbone.
Broken Leg
Condition
A broken leg is a break or crack of one long bones of the leg.
Broken Tibia-Fibula (Shinbone/Calf Bone)
Condition
A broken tibia-fibula is a fracture of one or both of the long bones in the lower leg.
Bunions
Condition
A bunion is a bump that occurs at the base of the big toe.
Bursitis
Condition
Bursitis happens when one or more bursae become irritated and swollen, usually through overuse or injury.
Cleft Foot
Condition
Cleft foot occurs when the foot didn’t develop properly during fetal development.
Clubfoot
Condition
Clubfoot is a congenital foot deformity in which the foot turns down and inward.
Congenital Limb Differences
Condition
Congenital limb differences occur when a baby’s arm or leg does not form properly during pregnancy.
Dislocated Kneecap
Condition
A dislocated knee, also known as a dislocated patella, occurs when the kneecap pops out from its normal position.
Dislocations
Condition
A dislocation happens when extreme force is put on a ligament and the ends of two connected bones separate.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
Condition
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of disorders that affect a person's connective tissue.
Femoral Anteversion
Condition
Femoral anteversion is an inward twisting of the thigh bone (femur).
Flexible Flatfoot
Condition
Flexible flatfoot is a common childhood condition in which a child has very little or no arch in their feet.
Fractures
Condition
A fracture is a break in the bone that occurs when more force is applied to the bone than the bone can withstand.
Growth Plate Fractures
Condition
A growth plate fracture is a fracture that intersects the area of soft cartilage where bone growth takes place.
Hip Dysplasia
Condition
Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint has not developed properly and the socket (acetabulum) is too shallow.
Hip Pain
Condition
Hip pain in teens and young adults is often a sign of an underlying problem.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Condition
Iliotibial band syndrome is a common cause of knee and hip pain.
Kleefstra Syndrome
Condition
Kleefstra syndrome is a rare condition that can cause developmental delay and intellectual disability.
Knock Knees
Condition
Knock knees (genu valgum) is a condition in which the knees tilt inward while the ankles remain spaced apart.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Condition
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (aka Perthes disease) happens when the ball-shaped head of the thighbone temporarily loses its blood supply.
Limb Length Discrepancy
Condition
A limb-length discrepancy is when one leg or arm is shorter than the other leg or arm.
Limb-Lengthening Surgery
Treatment
Limb-lengthening surgery is a surgical treatment that can correct a limb-length discrepancy by making a short limb longer.
Macrodactyly
Condition
Macrodactyly is an uncommon condition in which a baby's toes or fingers are abnormally large due to the overgrowth of the underlying bone and soft tissue.
Malunion Fracture
Condition
A malunion fracture is a broken bone that heals abnormally.
Metatarsus Adductus
Condition
Metatarsus adductus (metatarsus varus) is a common deformity that causes the front half of the foot to turn inward.
Muscle Weakness (Hypotonia)
Condition
Hypotonia is decreased muscle tone.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Condition
Osgood-Schlatter disease is an overuse condition or knee injury that causes a painful bump and swelling on the shinbone.
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Condition
Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint disorder in which a segment of bone and cartilage starts to separate from the rest of the bone.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Condition
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by fragile bones that break easily without a specific cause.
Patellar Instability
Condition
Patellar instability (kneecap dislocation) happens when the kneecap slides out of place.
Patellofemoral Pain
Condition
Patellofemoral pain is pain around the front of the knee.
Plantar Fasciitis
Condition
Plantar fasciitis is pain on the bottom of one or both heels, caused by irritation to the plantar fascia, which are the dense tissue bands that connect the heels to the toes.
Progeria (Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome)
Condition
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS, aka “progeria”) is a rare condition in which children show signs of early aging.
Learn more about Progeria (Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome)
Sever's Disease
Condition
Sever’s disease occurs when the growth plate in the back of the heel becomes inflamed and painful.
Skeletal Dysplasia
Condition
Skeletal dysplasia is a category of rare genetic disorders that cause abnormal development of a baby’s bones, joints, and cartilage.
Subtalar Extra-articular Screw Arthroereisis (SESA)
Treatment
Subtalar extra-articular screw arthroereisis (SESA) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for flexible flatfoot being investigated at Boston Children’s.
Learn more about Subtalar Extra-articular Screw Arthroereisis (SESA)
Tarsal Coalition
Condition
A tarsal coalition is an abnormal connection between two or more of the tarsal bones.
Tibial Torsion
Condition
Tibial torsion is the twisting of a child’s shinbone (tibia).
Types of Casts
Treatment
Different types of casts are used depending on the injury a child suffers.
Walking (Gait) Abnormalities
Condition
A gait abnormality is an unusual walking pattern.