About Marfan Syndrome Marfan syndrome is a progressive genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissue is everywhere in the body, providing structure and support for cells. Think of it as a sort of “glue” that helps support every organ, blood vessel, bone, joint, and muscle. In people …
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Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries
About Knee Injuries Knee injuries are common among active kids and teens, especially athletes. A torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) — a ligament that helps give the knee its stability — is one of the more serious injuries. Kids who tear their MCL tend to play contact sports, like football …
Muscular Dystrophy
About MD Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic disorder that gradually weakens the body’s muscles. It’s caused by incorrect or missing genetic information that prevents the body from making the proteins needed to build and maintain healthy muscles. A child who is diagnosed with MD gradually loses the ability to …
Nursemaid’s Elbow
About Nursemaid’s Elbow Toddlers and preschoolers are at risk for a common elbow injury called nursemaid’s elbow. This happens when a ligament slips out of place and gets caught between two bones of the elbow joint. Sometimes it gets unstuck by itself. In most cases, a health care professional gets …
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Good news: Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is far less frightful than its name. Though it’s one of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescents, it’s really not a disease, but an overuse injury. OSD can be quite painful, but usually resolves itself within 12 to 24 months. About Osgood-Schlatter …
Osteomyelitis
If your kids are like most, they’re probably pretty active and not always as careful as they should be. Minor scrapes and bruises that develop on their arms and legs will usually heal on their own — but deeper wounds that are left untreated can become infected, and lead to …
Panner’s Disease
Although it is called a “disease,” Panner’s disease is really a rare but painful bone condition that is linked to overuse of the elbow. Even though recovery can be slow, kids with Panner’s disease usually suffer from no long-term problems as a result of the condition. About Panner’s Disease Panner’s …
Scoliosis
Every person’s spine can curve. A certain amount of curvature is necessary for us to balance, move, and walk properly. But 3 people out of 100 have scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve from side to side. No one knows what causes the most common form of …
Sever’s Disease
Although the name might sound pretty frightening, Sever’s disease is really a common heel injury that occurs in kids. It can be painful, but is only temporary and has no long-term effects. About Sever’s Disease Sever’s disease, also called calcaneal apophysitis, is a painful bone disorder that results from inflammation …
Should I Worry About the Way My Son Walks?
My 15-month-old son walks with his feet turned in. My pediatrician assured me that it’s normal and that he’ll outgrow it. But I’m still worried. Won’t walking this way hurt him? Will he be able to play sports? Isn’t there something that doctors can do to straighten out his stride? …