Orthopedic problems – What problems do adolescents face?

Any type of physical problem that’s faced during adolescence may affect body development in future, if not treated properly. There are certain anatomic regions that may get affected by orthopedic problems in adolescents. For instance, certain body parts such as spine, ankle and knee may be affected by orthopedic problems such as slipped capital femoral epiphysis and Osgood Schlatter disease.

Osgood Schlatter disease is a result of any injury or knee over use. This cause pain and swelling in the area just below the knee and above the shinbone. This disease is very common among gymnastics, soccer, football and ballet players. Boys between the age of eleven and fifteen tend to get affected by this disease. Girls of age 8-13 are also at higher risk.

This disease is known to cause inflammation in the soft tissues and patellar tendon near spine, ankle and knee. The disease is very common is sports’ player of football, ballet, basket ball, gymnastics and soccer. They tend to suffer from Osgood Schlatter disease usually.

The basic reason why adolescents suffer from this problem the most is due to the fact that their bones grow faster in this age in comparison to tendons and muscles. This process also leads to stretching of tendons and muscles tightly.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of Osgood Schlatter disease:
a) Tenderness below knee area
b) Limping
c) Swelling of knee

The doctor will surely check the medical history of the patient and conduct various diagnostic procedures including X-ray and physical examination. The physician will thereafter decide on treatment that’s required after properly analyzing overall age, health, tolerance for medications, disease extent and medical history of the patient.

There are several treatment options such as the following in case of adolescent orthopedic problems. These treatment options include the following:
a) Elevation
b) Proper rest
c) Neoprene knee sleeve
d) Compression
e) Medications
f) Physical therapy

One of the most common adolescent orthopedic problems is slipped capital femoral epiphysis. This problem affects hip joint. Femoral head, the head or ball of the thigh bone tends to slip from the neck of the thigh bone. Due to this problem, the hip joint becomes very stiff and the condition is also very painful. The disorder of the hip is really common and can happen in both the hips and even one. The problem is more common in men as compared to women. Adolescents aged between 10 & 18 years who are more obese can get affected by this condition the most. This condition can rise over a period of time interval of just a few weeks or some years. In case, the condition resulted due to some trauma, it is known as chronic slip. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is resulted due to radiation treatment, medications, chemotherapy and thyroid problem.

Mild, moderate and severe are three basic degrees of intensity of slipped capital femoral epiphysis.