Scoliosis |
Lateral curvature of the spine, often with rotational deformity. |
Idiopathic (most common), congenital vertebral anomalies, neuromuscular disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy). |
Physical examination, X-ray (Cobb angle measurement), MRI for underlying conditions. |
Bracing for mild cases, surgical correction for severe deformities, physical therapy. |
Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus) |
Foot is turned inward and downward. It may be flexible or rigid. |
Congenital, associated with neuromuscular disorders, or positional deformity in utero. |
Physical examination, prenatal ultrasound. |
Serial casting (Ponseti method), corrective surgery if needed, bracing to maintain correction. |
Flatfoot (Pes Planus) |
Absence of the normal arch of the foot. |
Physiological (normal variant in infants), ligamentous laxity, neuromuscular disorders. |
Clinical examination, weight-bearing X-rays for structural issues. |
Observation for flexible flatfoot, orthotics for symptomatic cases, surgery for rigid flatfoot. |
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) |
Abnormal development of the hip joint where the femoral head is misaligned with the acetabulum. |
Genetic factors, breech position, family history, first-born females at higher risk. |
Hip ultrasound (in infants), X-ray (in older children), physical examination (Ortolani and Barlow tests). |
Pavlik harness for infants, closed or open reduction, and casting or bracing for severe cases. |
Bowlegs (Genu Varum) |
Outward bowing of the legs, especially when standing. |
Physiological (normal in toddlers), Blount’s disease, rickets, skeletal dysplasia. |
Clinical examination, X-ray to assess bone alignment and growth plates. |
Observation for physiologic cases, bracing or surgery in persistent or pathological cases. |
Knock Knees (Genu Valgum) |
Inward angulation of the knees, causing them to touch while the ankles remain apart. |
Physiological (normal between ages 2–7), rickets, obesity, trauma. |
Physical examination, X-ray to measure the degree of deformity. |
Observation for physiologic cases, bracing, corrective surgery for severe or persistent cases. |
Leg Length Discrepancy |
Unequal length of the legs, which can cause limping or gait abnormalities. |
Congenital (e.g., hemihypertrophy), trauma, infections, tumours, or growth plate injuries. |
Leg measurement, X-ray, CT scan or MRI for complex cases. |
Shoe lifts for mild cases, surgery (e.g., epiphysiodesis, limb lengthening) for significant discrepancies. |
Osgood-Schlatter Disease |
Inflammation of the patellar tendon where it attaches to the tibial tuberosity, causing pain and swelling. |
Overuse or repetitive stress in children during growth spurts, especially in athletes. |
Physical examination, X-ray to rule out other causes of knee pain. |
Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, bracing or casting in severe cases. |
Kyphosis |
Abnormal forward curvature of the spine (humpback appearance). |
Postural (most common), Scheuermann’s disease, congenital vertebral anomalies, osteoporosis. |
Physical examination, X-ray to assess spinal curvature, MRI if structural anomalies are suspected. |
Physical therapy for postural kyphosis, bracing, and surgical correction for severe cases. |