Introduction Many primary connective tissue disorders alter the radiographic appearance of the skeleton and are referred to as skeletal dysplasias (see Chapter 49 ). A smaller number of disorders produce connective tissue laxity syndromes, such as the Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, in…
Historical Aspects Pediatric rheumatology, the study and treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, blood vessels, and other tissues, originated in the first half of the 20th century, principally as a study of chronic inflammatory arthritis, the…
Rheumatic diseases involve abnormalities of multiple organs and systems, but it is predominantly the musculoskeletal system that is affected. The musculoskeletal system consists of bones, joints, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and associated connective tissues. This chapter is an overview of…