World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day - October 19
World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day occurs every October 19th. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, more than 126 million American children are impacted by musculoskeletal conditions. Many cases are brought on by obesity developed during childhood. World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day highlights obesity, screening, and prevention. The day also looks at symptoms, treatment, and economic impact.
History of World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day
While the first Pediatric Bone and Joint Day — or PB&J Day — wasn’t celebrated until 2012, orthopedic medicine has far longer roots. Originally, the term “orthopedic” referred specifically to the correction of musculoskeletal deformities in children. Nicolas Andry de Bois-Regard, who was a professor of medicine at the University of Paris, coined the term in his textbook published in 1741. This book, which was directed towards parents, advocated for exercise, manipulation, and splinting to treat child bone deformities. 40 years later, In 1780, Jean-Andre Venel opened the first orthopedic institute, which was dedicated to treating children’s skeletal deformities.
The modern hip replacement was introduced in the 1960s by English tribologist Sir John Charnley, who made the connection that implants can be used to replace joint surfaces. He designed a one-piece stainless steel femoral stem & head and an acetabular component, both of which were used to fix the bone along with bone cement. The Charnley Low Friction Arthroplasty and designs that evolved from it were used for over two decades for hip replacement procedures. In the 1970s knee replacements, using similar technology commenced for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
USSR doctor, Gavril Abramovich Ilizarov, made a major contribution to orthopedic procedures without much training in the specialized field. Sent to look after Russian soldiers in 1950s Siberia, he came face to face with crippling conditions, infections, and bone malalignments. Employing the assistance of a nearby bicycle shop, he invented external ring fixators, similar to the spokes on a bike. With this, he was able to heal, realign, and lengthen to an unprecedented degree. The Ilizarov apparatus is still used by surgeons to this day.
Caring for the Young Bones
Bones are constantly growing and reforming, with an increase in one’s age. The rate of bone growth is faster in children than in adults. A child’s bone continuously grows and reforms. During childhood, bone disorders can affect the bones in the musculoskeletal system, which may get worse or better with the growth of the child.
The World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day is aimed to spread awareness about the impact of musculoskeletal conditions among children. Bone and Joint infections generally termed Musculoskeletal disorders affect the nerves, muscles, bones, joints, and ligaments. Musculoskeletal disorder is commonly caused due to infection, injury or it can even be inherited, and it could subsequently develop as the child grows.
Parents must look at the different warning signs in their kids. Finding them early allows for a better diagnosis which could help prevent lifelong problems and aid in the ability to lead a healthy and happy life.
Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms
Parents must be vigilant when they interact with their children who may not be able to communicate effectively about their troubles directly.
This makes it more concerning for parents to be observant of their child’s development. Here are the common symptoms which a child may show while battling with musculoskeletal disorders-
- Irritable and lethargic behavior among infants
- Refuse to eat, or vomit after food intake
- Fever and Warmth
- Redness near the infected area
- Pain accompanied by swellings
- Limited movement of the infected area
- Pain in the Hips or back joints
- Angular deformities of the Knee or Knock Knees
Musculoskeletal concerns are commonly seen among teenagers and young children. This requires conscious observation and understanding of the symptoms to avoid complications later on. Those kids and teens who are suffering from obesity are at a higher risk of developing bone and joint problems, which may develop into-
- Septic Arthritis (Joint Infection)
- Fractures of the Bone
- Bone Infections or Osteoporosis
- Developmental dysplasia (hip)
- Tendinitis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Post-Streptococcal Reactive Arthritis (PSRA)
Arthritis
If you thought that arthritis only affected adults and the elderly, then think again! Children can get arthritis too! Estimates believe that approximately 1 in 1000 or more than 2 million children worldwide get arthritis. The most common form of Arthritis that can impact the young bones and joints is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). JIA may cause inflammation especially of the eyes, which if not diagnosed and attended to can lead to serious eye vision concerns. Even Rheumatoid Arthritis is commonly seen among children.
The reasons why arthritis specifically affects children are not known. While a combination of genetic and environmental factors is believed to be the reason other types of arthritis can also impact children severely if diagnosed at the correct time. Parents must be cautious if they see any symptoms of arthritis-like swollen knees, difficulty in walking, pain or limp while taking part in sports among their children, and must not wait too long following initial symptoms. This may lead the children to live with the pain while their joints may get damaged over time.
Fractures in Children
While fractures in children may be ignored, as an on-and-off incident suffered during playtime, parents must be cautious that falling with an outstretched arm can lead to a fracture in one or both of the bones. The forearm experiences 40-50% of all childhood fractures where high energy, games, and sports place the youth at a greater risk for forearm fractures.
Growth Plate Injuries
Growth plates are the weakest joint present in the child’s skeleton which are most susceptible to injury. The risk of growth plates injury is ripe among growing children until their soft tissue is eventually replaced with a solid bone. Growth plate injuries can prove to be detrimental to the overall children’s growth. Any injury in the ligament of the knee, the ankle can damage the child’s growth plate.
Ligaments that surround a child’s joints are not that strong. Growth plate injuries depend on certain factors like which bone is injured, the age of the child, what are injuries that the child has suffered. If the injured growth plate injuries are critical, they may need surgical intervention.
Causes of Pediatric Bone and Joint Injuries
Pediatric bone and joint disorders can adversely affect mobility. The most common causes that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders in children include injuries and accidents inflicted while playing. Poor posture, Vitamin D deficiency, and obesity are the other factors that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders.
Pediatric musculoskeletal injuries if are not diagnosed and managed can lead to long-term disabling conditions like missing school and severe pain & disability which may grow severe in later stages. Many of these can be avoided if parents are vigilant and take the necessary medication and treatment procedures.
The World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day aim to raise awareness among young parents to facilitate healthy living and growth for their children free from pain and conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis which may surface later in their lives.
Building Strong Bones
- If you are a young parent, observe the World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day by getting your children screened for musculoskeletal conditions.
- Schedule a digital consultation with a pediatric orthopedic on the Gigadocs practice management app for your child for a bone density test. This test determines how strong are your child’s bones and how much are they susceptible to bone fractures.
- Educate yourself on the different pediatric bone and joint disorders that your child may be affected by. A healthy balanced diet is vital to healthy bones.
- Ask a dietitian on the Gigadocs app how much calcium and Vitamin D your child needs according to his/her age.
- Make sure your child gets the requisite amounts of calcium and vitamin D and wears sports gear while playing intense outdoor sports to help prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
- Encourage your child to do weight-bearing cardio exercises like jumping, climbing stairs, walking, running, which are excellent for building stronger bones.
Observing World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day
Reach out to people
Don't feel like you need to give them advice, but at least offer them some resources that are available. Sometimes, just knowing someone is in their corner can be just the catalyst they need to seek treatment.
Get social
There are all kinds of online resources for families dealing with pediatric bone and joint problems. Help get those resources to the people that need them.
Sources:
https://nationaltoday.com/world-pediatric-bone-and-joint-day/
https://www.gigadocs.com/blog/world-pediatric-bone-and-joint-day-care-for-the-young-bones/
https://online.boneandjoint.org.uk/doi/full/10.1007/s11832-010-0255-9