If you suspect your child is having pain or trouble with movement, your pediatrician may want to perform tests to find out what’s going on, and he may then refer you to a Rainbow orthopedist for further evaluation and treatment.
If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, which could signal a musculoskeletal or central nervous system disorder, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician:
- Swelling or a bruise on top of a bone
- Pain that gets worse when the injured area is touched or moved
- Bone injury that breaks through the skin Limb that looks misshapen or deformed
- Swelling and severe pain in or around a joint, plus loss of movement
- Spine curves sideways, rib cage doesn’t look symmetrical, one shoulder blade sticks out
- Painful hip, walking with a limp
- Foot that looks twisted or misshapen at birth
- Hard spot or lump on a bone, accompanied by pain
- Muscle weakness, loss of muscle coordination, clumsy walking, difficulty lifting arms over the head
- Lump of tissue along the spinal cord, noticeable at birth
- Tight fists, stiff limbs and convulsions in infants
- Uncontrolled body movements, especially hands, feet, limbs or face
If you find any of the above symptoms in your child, call your pediatrician immediately. Your child may benefit from a referral to a Rainbow pediatric orthopedic specialist.