THE MEDICAL WORLD - ORTHOPEDICS

Skeletal Dysplasia and Orthopaedics

Orthopaedics and skeletal dysplasia involve mostly surgery to the spine and lower extremities.  Differences in the extremities of children with Skeletal Dysplasia include angular changes such as knock knees, bowing of the knees and possibly both deformities. Children can also have differently shaped hips. These changes can be progressive, symptomatic and can be manifested by the child walking differently.  When these changes become progressive and symptomatic interfering with activities of daily living this suggest the need for surgical correction.  The most common spine procedures these children require are spine fusions to stop the progression of scoliosis.  A cervical fusion is another common procedure these children under go to protect their cervical spinal cord.

Sometimes, children with a skeletal dysplasia can have multiple procedures performed to correct lower extremity deformities and/or correct scoliosis.  The important point is that the goal of surgery is to have the function to the best of his ability with his peers.

        Colleen D

        - Dysplasia Program