The bones of the skeletal system gain density and strength throughout childhood. Diseases of the bone can interrupt that vital process, weakening the bones. Many childhood bone diseases are mild or self limiting, resolving on their own in the very early years. Others can become more severe, leading to growth problems, deformity or fractures.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis, or SCFE, is a hip joint condition affecting children ages 8 to15. With SCFE, the neck at the top of the thigh bone separates from the "ball" portion in the hip socket. The disease occurs more commonly in boys, many of whom are overweight, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians website, FamilyDoctor.org. SCFE ranges from mild to severe; depending on how far the neck of the thigh bone has slipped. With only slight separation, symptoms include mild pain and stiffness in the affected hip. A child with SCFE feels better with rest, and worse upon walking or other movements of the leg. Eventually, the child may feel pain down the leg or in the knee, and their leg will twist outward. A more severe separation causes intense pain and the child will become unable to walk. X-ray studies or other imaging techniques are used to diagnose the condition.
Kyphosis
Kyphosis, also called Scheuermann's disease, can occur during adolescence. The disease occurs more commonly in boys, and tends to run in families. The bones of the upper spine curve forward toward each other, resulting in a humped back, or slouched appearance. A child with kyphosis may have shoulders that curve inward. Some with the condition experience mild pain in the upper back, or there may be no symptoms. X-ray studies can confirm the presence of deformed vertebrae. A doctor can then prescribe an appropriate treatment plan which may include the use of a brace. Merck Manuals Medical Library notes that even with treatment, the disorder often worsens to the point of requiring surgery.
Osteochondroma
An osteochondroma is a noncancerous growth on the surface of a bone, found primarily in children ages 10 to 20. Single osteochondromas prove the most common of all the benign bone growths, comprising nearly 40 percent of noncancerous bone tumors, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Osteochondromas arise out of the bone's growth plate, forming at the ends of the long bones, especially near the knee and shoulder. These growths can cause pain and swelling in the affected area. They may interfere with local blood supply and nerves, resulting in numbness and tingling. Imaging studies are used to diagnose osteochondromas.
