The orthopaedic MOT for kids

Does your baby need an orthopaedic MOT?

Does your baby always turn his head to one side? Do her feet turn in? Does your toddler seem to fall more regularly than his peers or does he walk in a peculiar fashion? Do his shoes always wear down at one side, are his feet very flat? Does your child complain of night pains or aching after lots of running around or playing sport? Does your teenager suffer from back or neck pain or have difficulty sitting comfortably for long periods? Does she always seem to be the member of the team repeatedly injured?

If the answer to any of the above is yes or if you have any other worries about growth or development your son/daughter needs an Orthopaedic MOT.

Early detection of problems is key

In utero, your baby is subject to many unusual forces and positions and often gets stuck for a while. This can cause all sorts of problems with unusual joint positions, tight muscles and occasionally pressure on nerves. If caught quickly enough, simple stretching and positioning is all that’s needed. If not dealt with speedily, these abnormalities can cause long term problems and take much longer to resolve.

Ligament laxity, knock-knees, flat feet and bow legs often run in families and simply require an appropriate exercise programme and footwear. Sometimes, however, there are pathological conditions which give rise to the same appearance early on in the disease process but which progress to much more serious abnormalities. Once again, early detection is the key.

Fast growth can cause muscle imbalances

As your child grows, they characteristically have spates where the bones grow as much as 1mm/day, but the soft tissues i.e. muscles, tendons and ligaments only increase in size by a maximal 0.8mm/day and so are always trying to catch up. This can cause problems with night pains, aching particularly in the calf and behind the knee. As some muscles struggle to keep up with bone growth, inevitably imbalance occurs around joints which can lead to a decrease in function and pain after rigorous activity.

If a muscular imbalance persists, then one group around a joint may become relatively “stronger” and put increased stress and strain on one side of a joint. This can once again lead to pain and recurrent injury. Once a cycle of acute or chronic injury is established, it becomes very difficult to regain full pain-free function and often the growing skeleton can be deformed by such repeated incidences.

The growing spine is also prone to many additional stresses and strains exacerbated by our more sedentary lifestyle and increasing use of computers at work and play. Good posture and maintaining spinal mobility and muscular strength is essential to prevent back and neck pain and long term problems.

When is the right time to have an orthopaedic MOT

Very often mothers who visit Physio for All for their pelvic floor re-education and express concerns or have questions regarding their child’s development. This is an ideal time for an orthopaedic MOT as it can be carried out at the same time as the mother is having pelvic floor ‘back to fitness’ physiotherapy.

Physio for All has two clinics, one in Chelsea/Earls Court and one in Battersea each of which has specialised paediatric physiotherapists who can carry out an orthpaedic MOT.

For further information or to book an appointment please call