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Family Medicine pp 183–197Cite as

Musculoskeletal Problems in Children

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Abstract

Rotational problems resulting in gait abnormalities are the most common orthopedic conditions in the pediatric age group. Parents are frequently concerned that their child will grow up deformed or be unable to play sports as they observe in-toeing or out-toeing and seek medical attention. Most rotational abnormalities resolve spontaneously as musculature develops, and knowing this fact is reassuring to parents. Rarely, conditions remain fixed and require surgical correction at an older age. Torsional deformities may be due to problems in the foot (metatarsus adductus), tibia (torsion), or femur and hip (femoral anteversion). Angular abnormalities (bowlegs, knock-knees), if not correcting by age 2, should be investigated more carefully. Certain terminology has been recommended1 as well as specific testing used to evaluate gait (Fig. 20.1).

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Authors
  1. Mark D. Bracker
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  2. Wilma J. Wooten
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA

    Robert B. Taylor M.D. (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

  2. Department of Family Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA

    Alan K. David M.D. (The Fred Lazarus, Jr., Professor and Director) (The Fred Lazarus, Jr., Professor and Director)

  3. Department of Family Medicine, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 63141, USA

    Thomas A. Johnson Jr. M.D. (Chairman) (Chairman)

  4. Department of Family Medicine, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    D. Melessa Phillips M.D. (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

  5. Department of Family Medicine, University of California—Irvine College of Medicine, Orange, CA, 92697, USA

    Joseph E. Scherger M.D., M.P.H. (Associate Dean for Primary Care and Chair) (Associate Dean for Primary Care and Chair)

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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Bracker, M.D., Wooten, W.J. (1998). Musculoskeletal Problems in Children. In: Taylor, R.B., David, A.K., Johnson, T.A., Phillips, D.M., Scherger, J.E. (eds) Family Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2947-4_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2947-4_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-2949-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-2947-4

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