Marfan Syndrome Patients with Marfan syndrome are a clinically diverse group, but they classically exhibit tall stature, long thin limbs, long thin spider-like digits (arachnodactyly), dislocation of the ocular lens, and cardiac anomalies. In 1896, Marfan, a French pediatrician, described…
Overview This chapter describes the major skeletal dysplasias seen in the pediatric population. In each of these conditions a structural abnormality in the bone itself leads to disturbances in growth of the trunk or extremities. More than 200 bone dysplasias…
The author wishes to acknowledge the contribution of Lori A. Karol for her work in the previous edition version of this chapter. Muscular Dystrophies Overview The muscular dystrophies are a group of genetically determined, progressive diseases of skeletal muscle (…
The original language of this chapter by Dr. Tachdjian has been left unaltered as much as possible because we currently have no direct experience with acute poliomyelitis. Poliomyelitis is an acute infectious disease caused by a group of neurotropic viruses…
Skeletal injuries are common in children, with an estimated 40% of boys and 25% of girls sustaining a fracture by 16 years of age. Because of the properties of the immature skeleton, these injuries have different characteristics, complications, and management…
Simple Bone Cysts (Solitary Bone Cyst, Unicameral Bone Cyst) Incidence Simple bone cysts are benign tumors of childhood and adolescence. They represent approximately 3% of all primary bone tumors sampled for biopsy and nearly always occur during the first 2…
Tumors of the Musculoskeletal System Tumors of the musculoskeletal system present a variety of challenges. The pediatric orthopaedist manages many benign tumors easily with a good outcome, but occasionally serious complications develop. Surgeons with specific expertise in oncology provide the…
Joints General Considerations A joint is a connection between bones of the skeleton. Joints can be classified as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial. Fibrous joints are represented by the sutures of the skull, whereas an example of a cartilaginous joint is…
Normal development of the limbs begins at the end of the fourth week after fertilization, with limb buds forming in the mesoderm along the flank of the embryo ( Fig. 21.1 ). The limb bud is divided into three major…
Femoral Anteversion The clinical significance of femoral anteversion is controversial. The contribution of excessive anteversion to childhood intoeing is accepted, whereas the relationship, if any, between anteversion and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee in adulthood remains uncertain. Definition Femoral…