Orthopedic Issues among Adolescents
Orthopedic Issues among Adolescents
Physical health problems experienced during adolescence can have adverse effects on the body's development if left untreated. Adolescents are prone to orthopedic problems in certain anatomic regions such as the spine, knee, and ankle, which can result in conditions such as Osgood-Schlatter disease and Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis.
Osgood-Schlatter disease typically results from injury or overuse of the knee, causing swelling and pain in the area below the knee, above the shin bone. This condition is prevalent among athletic adolescents who actively participate in sports such as football, basketball, soccer, ballet, and gymnastics. Boys aged eleven to fifteen and girls aged eight to thirteen are more susceptible. Adolescents tend to get this problem because their bones grow faster than their tendons and muscles, causing the muscles and tendons to stretch and become tight.
Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease include knee swelling, tenderness below the knee area, and limping. The physician diagnoses the condition by studying the medical history, conducting a physical examination, and performing diagnostic procedures such as taking an X-ray. Treatment includes medication, rest, compression, elevation, neoprene knee sleeve, and physical therapy. The primary goal is to control and limit knee pain by reducing the adolescent's physical activities. Usually, the Osgood-Schlatter disease heals over time, and surgery is rarely required.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis is a condition that affects the hip joint, where the femoral head slips from the thigh bone's neck, causing stiffness and pain in the hip joint. This condition is prevalent among adolescents aged ten to eighteen years who are overweight. The condition can occur over a period of weeks or years and is more common in boys than girls. There are three degrees of severity of this condition: mild, moderate, and severe. Symptoms of this condition include pain in the hip, thigh, knee, and groin, along with limpness in the leg.
Diagnostic procedures for Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis include bone scans, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and blood tests. Treatment involves a surgical procedure along with physical therapy to prevent further slipping of the femur bone's head.
Early diagnosis of both conditions is crucial to ensure timely and effective treatment. Physicians consider the adolescent's medical history, overall health, age, tolerance for certain medications, and the extent of the disease when determining the treatment plan