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Hard falls and collisions are a reality of sports, and they often lead to injuries. Taking a spill and falling on a shoulder or with arms outstretched puts tremendous stress on the shoulder and on a small bone called the clavicle, or collarbone. If the stress is too great, the …

As time passes, you may notice that your child’s growth isn’t completely on the straight and narrow. Many young kids have flatfeet, toe walking, pigeon toes, bowlegs, and knock-knees. As kids grow, some of these conditions correct themselves without treatment. Others don’t or become more severe because of other medical …

When a child complains of chest pain, it can be enough to send any parent into a panic: “Could it be a heart attack?” Fortunately, the answer usually is no. Heart attacks are extremely rare in children. More often than not, chest pain in a child or teen is due to …

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a problem with the way a baby’s hip joint forms before, during, or after birth — causing an unstable hip. In severe cases, the hip joint can dislocate or cause trouble walking. Mild cases of DDH usually get better on their own as a baby …

There’s been a lot of discussion over the years about the proper way to refer to someone with dwarfism. Many people who have the condition prefer the term “little person” or “person of short stature.” For some, “dwarf” is acceptable. For most, “midget” definitely is not. But here’s an idea …

There’s a lot of disagreement among doctors when it comes to fibromyalgia. Theories differ as to what causes it and how best to treat it. There’s even disagreement about what to call it — some call it a syndrome, others a disorder, still others a chronic condition. Whatever you label …

Kids who need a cast often have plenty of questions. Here are answers to some frequent inquiries about casts. What are the different kinds of casts? A cast, which keeps a bone from moving so it can heal, is essentially a big bandage that has two layers — a soft …

Growth plates are the areas of growing tissue near the ends of the long bones in the legs and arms in kids and adolescents. Also called a physis or epiphyseal plate, a growth plate produces new bone tissue. An injured growth plate might not do its job properly, which can lead to crooked or misshapen bones, …

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare medical condition that affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Guillain-Barré (GHEE-yan bah-RAY) syndrome often causes people to have weakness or even paralysis in parts of the body. Most people who get Guillain-Barré syndrome recover and return to their normal lives and …

Whether your baby rises from a crawl with a shaky first step or a full-on sprint across the living room, chances are you’ll be on the edge of your seat. But remember — a child’s first steps usually aren’t picture perfect. Learning to walk takes time and practice, and it’s …