Common musculoskeletal problems in children

Abstract 

Musculoskeletal problems are common in childhood. Knowledge of the most frequent conditions and their imaging appearances will facilitate early diagnosis and management. Plain radiographs are the mainstay of diagnostic imaging in children, but ultrasound, radionuclide imaging and magnetic resonance imaging all have specific roles to play. Whilst the differential diagnosis depends to an extent on age, accidental trauma is the commonest condition at all ages except infancy. This review will briefly describe the imaging strategies of a number of the commonest conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system in children.

Keywords:  osteomyelitis, trauma, irritable hip, Perthe's disease, developmental hip dysplasia, children