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• Vitamin D

  Vitamin D is needed for strong bones, but is hard to come by because it's found in few foods. Here's how to make sure kids get enough vitamin D.

• What Is Collagen?

  Collagen is a protein in the body that helps make bones strong.

• X-Ray Exam: Ankle

  An ankle X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, and swelling, or deformity of the ankle joint. It can also detect broken bones or a dislocated joint.

• X-Ray Exam: Bone Age Study

  A bone age study can help evaluate how a child's skeleton is maturing, which can help doctors diagnose conditions that delay or accelerate growth.

• X-Ray Exam: Cervical Spine

  This X-ray can, among other things, help find the cause of neck, shoulder, upper back, or arm pain. It's commonly done after someone has been in an automobile or other accident.

• X-Ray Exam: Elbow

  An elbow X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, swelling, or a deformity. It can also help to detect broken bones or a dislocated joint.

• X-Ray Exam: Finger

  Doctors may order a finger X-ray to find the cause of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, or swelling, or to detect broken bones or dislocated joints.

• X-Ray Exam: Foot

  A foot X-ray can help doctors find the cause pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformities. It also can detect broken bones or dislocated joints.

• X-Ray Exam: Forearm

  A forearm X-ray can help doctors find the causes of pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity. It can detect broken bones, and after a broken bone has been set, see if it has healed properly.

• X-Ray Exam: Hand

  A hand X-ray can help doctors find the cause of pain, tenderness, swelling, and deformity. It also can detect broken bones or dislocated joints.

• X-Ray Exam: Hip

  A hip X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as limping, pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity in the hip area. It can detect broken bones or a dislocated joint.

• X-Ray Exam: Knee

  A knee X-ray can help find the causes of pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the knee, and detect broken bones or a dislocated joint.

• X-Ray Exam: Leg Length

  Some kids may have significant differences in the length of their legs, a condition known as leg length discrepancy. This X-ray exam can help doctors see the exact difference in leg length so they can decide on a treatment.

• X-Ray Exam: Lower Leg (Tibia and Fibula)

  An X-ray of the tibia and fibula can help find the cause of pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the lower leg. It can detect broken bones, and after a broken bone has been set, help see if it has healed well.

• X-Ray Exam: Pelvis

  A pelvis X-ray can help find the cause pain, swelling, or deformity in the pelvic, hip, or upper leg regions, and can detect broken bones.

• X-Ray Exam: Upper Arm (Humerus)

  An upper arm X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the upper arm. It can detect a broken bone, and after the bone has been set, show if it has healed well.

• X-Ray Exam: Upper Leg (Femur)

  A femur X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as pain, limp, tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the upper leg. It can detect a broken bone, and after a broken bone has been set, it can help determine whether the bone is in alignment.

• X-Ray Exam: Wrist

  A wrist X-ray is a safe and painless test that can help find the cause of pain, tenderness, swelling, or show deformities of the wrist joint. It can also detect broken bones or dislocated joints.

• X-Ray Exams

  An X-ray is a safe and painless test that uses a small amount of radiation to make an image of bones, organs, and other parts of the body.

• Spondylolisthesis

  Spondylolisthesis happens when a bone in the back slips forward and out of place. In kids and teens, it’s a common cause of lower back pain.

• Spondylolysis

  Spondylolysis is a very common cause of lower back pain in kids, teens, and young adults. It usually heals quickly with rest and other nonsurgical treatments.

• Strains and Sprains

  Sprains and strains are common injuries, especially for kids who play hard or are into sports.

• Stress Fractures

  A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone. They usually happen from repeating the same movement over and over.

• Symbrachydactyly

  Babies with symbrachydactyly are born with short often webbed fingers. Some might be missing fingers.

• Syndactyly

  Syndactyly is when a baby is born with two or more fingers or toes joined or "webbed" together.

• The Ponseti Clubfoot Brace: Tips for Parents

  Correcting your child’s clubfoot begins with a series of casts and ends with a brace. Here's how to help your child wear it successfully.

• The Ponseti Method: Bracing Phase

  The Ponseti method to treat clubfoot is done in two phases – the casting phase gradually moves the foot to the correct position, and the bracing phase makes sure it stays there. Learn about bracing.

• The Ponseti Method: Casting Phase

  The Ponseti method to treat clubfoot is done in two phases – the casting phase gradually moves the foot to the correct position, and the bracing phase makes sure it stays there. Learn about casting.

• The Ravitch Procedure

  The Ravitch procedure is a surgery to correct severe pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum.

• The WREX Orthosis (Assistive Device)

  The WREX is an assistive device that kids can wear to help them if they have weak arms.

• Thumb Duplication

  Babies with thumb duplication (or thumb polydactyly) are born with an extra thumb on one or both hands. Most will have surgery to fix the problem.

• Thumb Hypoplasia

  Babies with thumb hypoplasia are born with a thumb that is smaller than normal, or with the thumb missing completely.

• Toe Walking

  Toe walking is when kids walk on the balls of their feet, with their heels off the ground. Most children stop toe walking on their own by age 2.

• Torticollis

  Torticollis is a common condition that causes a stiff neck or neck pain that makes it hard for kids to turn their heads.

• Torticollis in Infants

  Babies with this condition have trouble turning their heads, due to muscle tightness. Simple stretching exercises and physical therapy can help babies get better.

• Ulnar Dysplasia

  Babies with ulnar dysplasia (also called ulnar club hand) are born with a short or missing ulnar bone. This makes the wrist turn out.

• Radial Dysplasia

  Babies with radial dysplasia (also called radial club hand) are born with a short or missing radial bone. This makes the wrist turn in.

• Repetitive Stress Injuries in Sports

  Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) happen when movements are repeated over and over, damaging a bone, tendon, or joint.

• Rickets

  Rickets is when bones become soft and weak, usually because a child doesn't get enough vitamin D. Most kids with rickets get better with treatment.

• Rigo Cheneau Brace

  A Rigo Cheneau brace is a type of spine brace for scoliosis. Used with physical therapy, it can improve a child’s posture.

• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

  Rotator cuff tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder bones.

• Scheuermann’s Kyphosis

  Scheuermann's kyphosis is a condition affecting the upper back that makes it rounded so it looks hunched over.

• Scoliosis

  Scoliosis makes a person’s spine curve from side to side. Large curves can cause health problems like pain or breathing trouble. Health care providers treat scoliosis with back braces or surgery when needed.

• Scoliosis: Bracing

  Some kids with scoliosis wear a brace to help stop their curve from getting worse as they grow. Find out more about the different types of scoliosis braces.

• Sever’s Disease

  Sever's disease, a common heel injury in kids, is due to inflammation (swelling) of the growth plate in the heel. While painful, it's only temporary and has no long-term effects.

• Shin Splints

  Shin splints are pain on the inner part of the shinbone, often from running or another high-impact activity. They get better with rest.

• Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)

  Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a shift at the upper part of the thighbone, or femur, that results in a weakened hip joint. Fortunately, when caught early, most cases of SCFE can be treated successfully.

• Spina Bifida Occulta

  In spina bifida occulta, a baby is born with a gap in the spine's bones, but the spinal cord and its covering do not push through it.

• Spinal Fusion Surgery

  A spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that's done to stabilize or straighten the bones in the back. It can help kids and teens with scoliosis.

• Splints

  A splint is a support device that keeps an injured area from moving. Doctors often use splints to hold bones and joints in place so they can heal after a fracture.

• Myelomeningocele

  Myelomeningocele is a type of spina bifida in which a baby is born with a gap in the bones of the spine.

• Nursemaid’s Elbow

  Young kids are at risk for a common injury known as nursemaid's elbow, which is easy for a doctor to fix. To help prevent it, never swing or lift a child by the lower arm, hands, or wrists.

• Osgood-Schlatter Disease

  Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescents. It's really not a disease, but an overuse injury.

• Osteochondritis Dissecans

  Osteochondritis dissecans is when a piece of bone and the attached cartilage break down and become loose. If it heals completely, kids who have it usually don't have any long-lasting problems.

• Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Disease)

  Osteogenesis imperfecta (or brittle bone disease) prevents the body from building strong bones. People with OI have bones that might break easily.

• Osteomyelitis

  Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can happen when germs enter an open wound. The easiest way to prevent it is to keep skin clean.

• Osteosarcoma

  Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer. It happens most often in the arms and legs but can happen in other bones too.

• Out-Toeing

  Out-toeing is when feet point outward while walking. It happens to a lot of kids when they are learning to walk.

• Panner’s Disease

  Panner's disease is a painful bone condition linked to overuse of the elbow. Kids with Panner's disease need to avoid all activities that cause pain so the bone can heal.

• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)

  Patellofemoral pain syndrome (or runner's knee) is the most common overuse injury among runners, but it can also happen to other athletes who do activities that require a lot of knee bending.

• Pectus Carinatum: Bracing

  Pectus carinatum is when the chest juts out. Sometimes it's treated by wearing a brace.

• Pectus Excavatum: The Nuss Procedure

  The Nuss procedure is a surgery to correct severe pectus excavatum. It’s considered "minimally invasive" because only a few small cuts are needed.

• Pectus Excavatum: Vacuum Bell Device

  Health care providers sometimes suggest that kids use a vacuum bell to help correct pectus excavatum, a condition that causes a caved-in chest.

• Polydactyly

  Polydactyly is when a baby is born with an extra finger on the hand or an extra toe on the foot. It can be on one or both hands or feet.

• Postural Kyphosis

  Postural kyphosis is rounding or hunching of the back that usually affects teens. It's due to "bad" posture and not disease.

• Idiopathic Scoliosis

  Kids of any age can have idiopathic scoliosis, but it's usually found when a child begins going through puberty. Find out more about the signs of and treatment for idiopathic scoliosis.

• In-Toeing

  In-toeing is when feet point inward while walking. It happens in a lot of kids who are learning to walk. Sometimes people call it walking "pigeon-toed."

• Incentive Spirometer

  An incentive spirometer trains people to take slow, deep breaths. It's used during recovery from some types of surgery or as a way to manage illness. Find out how it works.

• Knee Injuries

  Knee injuries are common among young athletes. Learn about causes, treatments, and prevention.

• Knock Knees (Genu Valgum)

  Kids often have knock knees (when knees touch but the ankles are apart). They usually go away without on their own by the time a child is 7 or 8 years old.

• Kyphosis

  Everyone's spine is slightly rounded forward at a gentle angle. If this angle is too pronounced, more than 50 degrees or so, it's called kyphosis, also known as roundback or hunchback.

• Leg Length Discrepancy

  Leg length discrepancy is when someone’s legs are different lengths. For a big difference or one that's likely to get worse, treatment is recommended.

• Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease

  Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease changes the hip joint and can cause a stiff joint, pain, and a limp.

• Limb Differences

  Kids with limb deformities have differences in the way their arms or legs are shaped. Some don't need treatment, For those that do, doctors have different options.

• Limb Lengthening Surgery: External Fixator

  Limb lengthening surgery is done when someone has a leg length discrepancy (one leg is shorter than the other). Sometimes this is treated with an external fixator.

• Limb Lengthening Surgery: Internal Lengthening Device

  Limb lengthening surgery is done when someone has a leg length discrepancy (one leg is shorter than the other). Sometimes this is treated with an internal lengthening device (a rod with a magnet).

• Little League Elbow

  Little League elbow is an overuse injury to the elbow caused by repetitive throwing. Most cases happen in pitchers, but any young athlete who throws a lot can get the condition.

• Low Calcium in Babies (Hypocalcemia)

  Hypocalcemia is when the blood has too little calcium. It can be treated with calcium and vitamin D supplements.

• Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries

  MCL injuries can happen in active and athletic kids, when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

• Meningocele

  Some babies are born with a meningocele, which is a sac that pushes through the gap in the spine. With surgery to fix the problem, most babies with a meningocele live a healthy, normal life.

• Dislocated Kneecap (Dislocated Patella)

  A dislocated kneecap is when the bone in the front of the knee (the kneecap or patella) slides out of place. A person with a dislocated kneecap needs care at the hospital right away.

• External Fixator: Pin Care

  External fixators used for limb lengthening have pins that go through the skin and into the bone. It's important to know how to care for the pins at home to prevent infections.

• Fibular Hemimelia

  Babies who have fibular hemimelia are born with a short or missing fibula. Experts who treat bone problems have several options to help kids with a hemimelia.

• Flat Feet

  Most babies and toddlers have flat feet. As they grow, an arch usually develops. But some kids have flat feet for life.

• Ganglion Cysts

  Ganglion cysts are lumps that, most commonly, appear on the back of the wrist. These cysts are not cancerous and are easily treated.

• Getting an X-Ray

  An X-ray is a safe and painless test that uses a small amount of radiation to make an image of bones, organs, and other parts of the body. Here's how they're done.

• Goldenhar Syndrome

  Goldenhar syndrome can cause incomplete development of bones in the face, affecting the ear, nose, soft palate, lip, and jaw. A cleft and craniofacial care team can help kids born with the condition.

• Greenstick Fractures

  A greenstick fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone cracks on one side only, not all the way through the bone.

• Growth Plate Fractures

  Injuries to growth plates, which produce new bone tissue and determine the final length and shape of bones in adulthood, must be treated so that bones heal properly.

• Growth Plates

  Growth plates are the areas of new bone growth, usually near the ends of long bones. A growth plate is weaker than solid bone. This makes it more likely to get injured.

• Halo Brace

  Much like a fiberglass cast holds a broken arm or leg in place, a "halo" with vest holds a child's head and neck in place after a spinal injury so that spinal bones can heal.

• Halo-Gravity Traction

  Halo-gravity traction is a way to pull the head and spine upward. Doctors use it to treat curvature of the spine and to prepare kids for spinal fusion surgery.

• How Broken Bones Heal

  Broken bones have an amazing ability to heal, especially in kids. Full healing can take time, but new bone usually forms a few weeks after an injury.

• Bow Legs (Genu Varum)

  Bow legs is when the legs curve outward at the knees while the feet and ankles touch. Infants and toddlers often have bow legs. It's rarely serious and usually goes away on its own.

• Broken Bones

  Many kids will have a broken bone at some point. Here's what to expect.

• Broken Collarbone (Clavicle Fracture)

  Learn about broken collarbones (or clavicle fractures), a common sports injury in kids.

• Buckle Fractures

  A buckle or torus fracture is a type of broken bone. One side of the bone bends, raising a little buckle, without breaking the other side of the bone.

• Casts

  Casts keep bones and other tissues in place while they heal. Here's what to expect, and how to care for casts.

• Cervical Kyphosis

  Cervical kyphosis is a curve at the top of the spine (backbone). Usually, the condition isn't serious, but a pinch in the spinal cord can cause nerve damage.

• Chest Wall Disorder: Pectus Carinatum

  Pectus carinatum, sometimes called pigeon chest, is when the chest wall causes the chest to jut out.

• Chest Wall Disorder: Pectus Excavatum

  Pectus excavatum is when several ribs and the breastbone grow abnormally, giving the chest a "caved-in" appearance.

• Chest Wall Disorder: Poland Syndrome

  Poland syndrome is a condition where a child is born with missing or underdeveloped chest muscles.

• Clubfoot

  Clubfoot is a birth defect that makes one or both of a baby's feet point down and turn in. Most clubfeet can be successfully corrected using the nonsurgical Ponseti method.

• Comminuted Fractures

  A comminuted fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone is broken into more than two pieces.

• Common Childhood Orthopedic Conditions

  Flatfeet, toe walking, pigeon toes, bowlegs, and knock-knees. Lots of kids have these common orthopedic conditions, but are they medical problems that can and should be corrected?

• Compression Fracture of the Spine

  A compression fracture of the spine is when the vertebrae (bones that form the spine) collapses. People with weakened bones can get them from a minor fall or with no trauma at all.

• Congenital Kyphosis

  Kyphosis is a rounding of the back that some children are born with. It makes the back look hunched over.

• Congenital Scoliosis

  Congenital scoliosis is when the bones in a baby’s spine don’t form normally before birth. The baby may be born with a curved spine or develop one later.

• Costochondritis

  Costochondritis is a painful swelling of the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the breastbone. It's one of the most common causes of chest pain in kids and teens.

• Craniosynostosis

  Craniosynostosis is when seams between bones in the skull close too soon. When this happens, the skull can’t expand grow as it should, and it develops an unusual shape.

• Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

  Babies can be born with this hip problem or develop it soon after birth. Early treatment can help the hip joint grow normally.

• Fibromyalgia

  The chronic condition fibromyalgia causes widespread pain in the muscles, joints, and other areas of the body. Lifestyle changes and other strategies can help kids who have it feel better.

• Jumper’s Knee

  Jumper's knee is an overuse injury that happens when frequent jumping, running, and changing direction damages the patellar tendon.

• 3 Ways to Build Strong Bones

  We build almost all our bone density when we're kids and teens. Kids with strong bones have a better chance of avoiding bone weakness later in life. Here's how parents can help.

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears

  ACL injuries can happen in active and athletic kids when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

• Arthrogryposis

  Children with arthrogryposis have stiff joints that don't move well. Treatments like splinting, bracing, therapy, and surgery help kids get the best range of motion.

• Basilar Invagination

  Basilar invagination is when the top of the spine pushes up into the base of the skull. It causes pinching and pressing on the brain stem.

• Becker Muscular Dystrophy

  Becker muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that gradually makes the body's muscles weaker and smaller. It causes less severe problems than the most common type of MD, Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

• Blount Disease

  Blount disease is a growth disorder that causes the bones of the lower leg to bow outward. This gets worse if it's not treated, so early diagnosis is very important.

• X-Ray Exam: Chest

  A chest X-ray is a safe and painless test that uses a small amount of radiation to take a picture of a person's chest, including the heart, lungs, diaphragm, lymph nodes, upper spine, ribs, collarbone, and breastbone.

• Myasthenia Gravis

  Myasthenia gravis (or myasthenia) happens when voluntary muscles get weaker. Treatments can help symptoms.

• Pompe Disease

  Pompe disease is a rare genetic condition that makes muscles get weaker over time.

• Spina Bifida

  Spina bifida is a birth defect in infants that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. Learn more about spina bifida. Learn More.

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

  Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a condition that causes muscle weakness and atrophy. There's no cure, but therapy and other treatments can help most people who have SMA.

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome

  Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare medical condition that affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Luckily, most people who get GBS recover.

• Cerebral Palsy: Parents Talk (Video)

  Get advice from parents raising kids with cerebral palsy. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and what helped these families the most.

• Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SEDc)

  Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita is a type of skeletal dysplasia, causing short stature (dwarfism) and other bone problems, along with vision and hearing problems.

• Kniest Dysplasia

  Kniest dysplasia is a type of skeletal dysplasia, causing short stature (dwarfism) and other bone problems, along with vision and hearing problems.

• Marfan Syndrome

  Marfan syndrome affects the body's connective tissue and can cause problems in the eyes, joints, and heart. Even though the disease has no cure, doctors can successfully treat just about all of its symptoms.

• Morquio A Syndrome

  Morquio A syndrome causes growth problems and also can affect the heart and cause hearing and vision problems. Medical care and treatments can help with these problems.

• Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia

  Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia is a type of skeletal dysplasia. It affects the ends of the long bones, leading to short stature, joint pain and stiffness, and other bone problems.

• Muscular Dystrophy

  Muscular dystrophy is a disorder that weakens a person's muscles over time. People who have the disease can gradually lose the ability to do everyday tasks.

• Primordial Dwarfism

  People with primordial dwarfism have slowed growth that begins before birth and continues throughout life. Sometimes they have other health problems too.

• Pseudoachondroplasia

  Pseudoachondroplasia is a skeletal dysplasia that causes dwarfism and arms and legs that are short compared with the body. Children who have it can live long and productive lives.

• Diastrophic Dysplasia

  Diastrophic dysplasia is a skeletal dysplasia. People who have it are generally shorter than average in height.

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

  Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy. It gradually makes the body's muscles weaker.

• Dwarfism

  Dwarfism is a condition that is characterized by short stature. Many of the possible complications of dwarfism are treatable, and people of short stature lead healthy, active lives.

• Ellis-Van Creveld Dysplasia

  Ellis-van Creveld dysplasia is a type of skeletal dysplasia, causing very short stature (dwarfism), short arms and legs, and a narrow chest. Regular care from medical specialists can help with problems it can cause.

• Hypochondroplasia

  Hypochondroplasia is a condition that affects the growth of bone and cartilage. Kids who have it are shorter than other kids of the same age).

• Achondroplasia

  Achondroplasia is a condition that causes short stature (an adult height less than 4 feet, 10 inches). Treatment can help with related problems, and new research offers hope for even better treatments.

• CLOVES Syndrome

  CLOVES syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder that causes vascular, skin, spinal, and bone or joint abnormalities.

• Campomelic Dysplasia

  People with campomelic dysplasia usually have bent long bones and can have severe breathing problems. A team of specialists will care for a child when medical problems come up.

• Cartilage Hair Hypoplasia

  Kids with cartilage hair hypoplasia have differences with the growth of their bones. With regular medical care, most kids can live a full, healthy life.

• Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)

  Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a neurological disorder. It causes muscle weakness and numbness, most commonly in the arms and legs.