Children’s Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a pathology that is directly associated with aging and, in the case of children, it is usually ‘exceptional’ that it occurs. This is because the existence of infantile osteoarthritis could be considered, but it can develop over time.
Joints are the components of the skeleton that allow the connection between two bones, such as the elbow, knee, hip, among others, allowing us to perform movements. Cartilage, for its part, is responsible for covering the ends of these bones and is essential for the joint, since it acts as a shock absorber.
Is it possible a childhood osteoarthritis?
Although there are few cases, it is possible that childhood osteoarthritis begins to develop and they may suffer it in their adulthood, so, according to experts, it is best to exercise a series of care to prevent it.
The president of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Orthopedics, Dr. Rosendo Ullot, highlights to the Europa Press news agency that it is important to prevent joint injuries so that the child does not develop this pathology, ensuring that it is due to different causes than adults . “Children do not suffer from osteoarthritis like the disease that is in adults; the etiology is different and is caused by different causes ” , he assured.
The expert also emphasizes that, generally, sports children are more likely to suffer from this disease. “Children who play soccer have a greater risk of developing osteoarthritis in the lower limbs, while other sports, such as handball and basketball, can affect the upper limbs . “
What can cause childhood osteoarthritis?
In addition to practicing sports and not exercising the necessary care to prevent it, there are several factors that can be decisive for the development of this disease in the future, such as:
- Having an inflammatory joint disease, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. According to the traumatologist, Jordi Ardévol, this disease can cause serious joint injuries that require a total knee or hip replacement. As he assured the news agency, Europa Press.
- Jordi Ardévol adds that joint cartilage injuries can cause early osteoarthritis.
- Injuries to ligaments, menisci and chronic overloads.
- Due to unsolved developmental dysplasia of the hip.
- Other joint diseases.
How to prevent it?
Some children are more likely to develop the disease. Thus, there are a number of factors that parents should take into account to prevent the onset of childhood osteoarthritis in the future:
- Avoid risk factors, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, malformations of the axes of the extremities, among others.
- As child athletes are more prone to developing the disease, it is important to keep track of their physical condition.
- Practice sports with the appropriate material for each child.
- Increase activity little by little and safely.
- The child should not play when he is very tired, feels pain or has an injury without fully healing.
- When your child is injured, it is important to make a full recovery before returning to activity.
- The little one must have a correct diet to avoid being overweight.
It is essential that parents are aware of the injuries that children can suffer in certain sports to know how to prevent and treat them, if they occur.
Sports with more risk
Some sports may be more risky than others. According to the expert Rosendo Ullot, one of the sports that involve the greatest risk of developing this disease in the future is soccer, because those who practice it tend to injure the medial collateral ligament, the menisci and the anterior cruciate ligament.
In the case of basketball, injuries generally occur to the ankle or knee, by twisting or by applying a lateral force. And, finally, he mentions rhythmic and sports gymnastics, where microtrauma, osteochondrosis (joint cartilage injury) and calcaneal apophysitis (overloading of the heel growth plate) in the lower limbs are usually the most frequent injuries.
Childhood osteoarthritis can develop in the future if prevention measures are not taken. Parents must pay special attention to the injuries suffered by children in the practice of any sport and have a control so that it cannot affect them in the future.
