What are flat feet? Flat foot (also known as pes planus) is defined as a low or absent arch. Flat feet usually do not cause pain unless they are associated with a tight calf muscle. Calf stretches usually relieve any associated pain.

For young children, corrective shoes and orthotics may cause pain and do not help develop the arches. For older children and adolescents, over the counter shoe inserts in running shoes may decrease leg aching and extend the wear of shoes.

What is metatarsal abductus? Metatarsal abductus is a congenital deformity where the forefoot turns inward. The treatment depends on various degrees of severity. Most often, metatarsal abductus corrects spontaneously. Sometimes surgery is indicated if the forefoot is severely turned in.

What is femoral anteversion? Femoral anteversion is internal rotation (turning toward the middle of the body) of the hip. It can sometimes cause a knock-kneed or pigeon-toed appearance to walking.

Are having knock-knees a problem? Young children have a normal range of knee alignment and may appear knock-kneed at three to four years of age. A small degree of knock-knee is not usually a problem. You should check with your provider if you have a concern about how your child walks or if he has pain.

What is Legg-Calve-Perthes disease? Legg-Calve-Perthes disease involves the loss of blood supply to the hip joint leading to the wearing away of bone and eventually arthritis. This typically affects children between two and twelve years of age and presents with limping. Treatment can vary from observation to bracing, and depends on the amount of bone destruction.

What is avascular necrosis of the femoral bone? This is another term for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, where blood supply is interrupted to the top part of the thighbone.

What are myalgias? Muscle aches and pains.

What is nursemaid’s elbow? This is also known as subluxation of the radial head, which means the bone of a child’s upper arm becomes dislocated from the bone in the forearm at the elbow. It is the most common elbow injury in kids under five years of age. It usually involves the arm being pulled.

Nursemaid’s elbow presents with pain initially, and then the child becomes reluctant to use the arm. A provider, who performs specific gentle maneuvers, usually puts it back in place easily. The child usually can resume using the arm normally without pain within a few minutes.

What is subluxation of the radial head? This is another name for nursemaid's elbow.

What is Osgood-Schlatter disease? Osgood-Schlatter disease is an irritation of the tibial tubercle (the lump on your lower leg bone just below the knee) where the patellar (kneecap) tendon inserts on the leg. It is caused by repetitive activities such as jumping, running or kneeling. It is treated with ice, ibuprofen and reduced activity to permit healing.

What is osteochondritis dissecans? Osteochondritis dissecans is inflammation of the bone and cartilage resulting in the splitting pieces of bone or cartilage into a joint space, usually the knee or shoulder. This occurs usually because of the loss of blood supply to the joint area. The loose piece may fall into the joint space, making the joint unstable. This cause discomfort as well as feeling that the joint is giving way. Osteochondritis dissecans can happen in anyone but it does occur mostly in boys ages 10 to 20 while they are still growing.

What is osteomyelitis? Osteomyelitis is inflammation of a bone due to infection. Bones can get infected by bacteria traveling through the bloodstream or by a more direct route through an open sore.

Signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis include:

• Severe localized pain at the point of the bone infection
• Fever and chills
• Trouble using the affected bone
• Redness and swelling above the infection

Osteomyelitis usually requires a hospital stay for intravenous antibiotics as well as continued antibiotics at home.

What is pectus excavatum? Pectus excavatum is a condition of the chest wall where there is a funnel-shaped depression of the sternum or breastbone. It is also called funnel chest.

Does my toddler need special shoes? No, he only needs shoes that fit him properly. Shoes are needed for warmth and protection. They do not aid in the proper growth of the feet nor do they help a toddler in walking. A soft flexible shoe is best for toddlers.

What is a toddler’s fracture? A toddler’s fracture is a spiral fracture of the tibia (larger lower leg bone) in a child who is starting to walk. Many times the initial x-ray will not show a fracture when a child has a toddler’s fracture.

What is toe walking? This is when a child walks only on his or her toes. If allowed to toe walk long enough, sometime this can cause shortening of the heel cord. The child may need physical therapy to correct this problem.

Will a baby walker help my baby walk earlier? Walkers do not help your baby learn to walk sooner. Sometimes they can delay walking. Walkers can put your child at risk of injury.

Is being bow-legged a problem? All infant are bow-legged (genu varum) when they are first born. This is due to positioning in the womb. Bowing will get better with time. This is only a problem if the problem is getting worse. By the time the child is three to four years old, he or she will normally become knock-kneed (genu valgum). This will then begin to correct itself by the age of five to six years old, leaving the normal adult alignment of being slightly knock-kneed.

What is scoliosis? Scoliosis means that the spine curves from side to side rather than being straight down the back. The spine is made of bones called vertebrae that normally stack one on top of the other in a straight line. The bones in the upper back are called thoracic vertebrae. This is the most common site for scoliosis.

The bones in the lower back are called lumbar vertebrae. Scoliosis occurs less often in the lumbar vertebrae. Scoliosis is usually in the shpe of the letter S because for every turn of the back bone, there is an opposite turn, trying to bring the spine into alignment.

What is lordosis? Lordosis is defined by an excessive inward curve of the spine. This usually occurs in the lower back. This is also called swayback.

What is kyphosis? Kyphosis is curvature of the back where the curve is of the spine or back is unusually prominent. Children with kyphosis appear to be slouching. This is also called hunchback.

Is in toeing or out toeing a problem? In toeing and out toeing are generally variations of normal development. Out toeing in toddlers is usually to aid the toddler with his balance. This will resolve as the toddler’s walking skills improve. Mild in toeing is normal. This can only be a problem in severe cases, if the child is tripping himself by catching his foot on the back of the other leg.

What is a stinger? A stinger is an injury to the nerves that travel from your neck and down your arm. Symptoms include:

• Burning or stinging feeling between your neck and shoulder
• Burning or stinging feeling in one arm
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder or arm

Most stingers last only a few minutes and won't require treatment. Others may require physical therapy to strengthen your muscles while you wait for the nerve to heal itself.

What is a sprain? A sprain is a twisting or stretching of a joint that results in injury of the ligaments and soft tissues.

What is clubfoot? A clubfoot is a birth defect that results in a deformity of the foot. The foot appears to be twisted at the ankle and curled in. It is also known as talipes equinovarus.

What is tendonitis? Tendons connect muscles to bones. Any inflammation in a tendon that leads to pain and swelling is known as tendonitis. This sort of inflammation is often caused by injury or overuse.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist that houses the median nerve and tendons. Any inflammation in this canal can cause compression of the median nerve, which can cause numbness or pain in the fingers.

What is a ganglion cyst? A ganglion cyst is a round, fluid-filled swelling or mass that often appears on or around joints, especially of the hands or feet. The cyst can increase in size and need to be drained or removed if it is bothersome. You may have heard stories in the past about people using a large book slammed down upon the cyst to cure it. This seems to work, however it is no longer recommended.