It’s easy to take our bones for granted. After all, they do all their work behind the scenes. But when a bone breaks, it’s a big deal. Bones take time to heal, even for kids. Having strong bones in childhood is a good start for bone health throughout life. We build almost all our bone density when we’re children …
Sometimes you’ll know right away if your child needs quick medical care. Other times, it’s hard to be sure. And if you do, should you go to the ER, call your doctor, or visit an urgent care center? These guidelines can help. When to Call 911 For a serious emergency, call 911. Some situations are …
What Is a Stress Fracture? A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone. What Causes Stress Fractures? Stress fractures usually happen from repeating the same movement over and over (such as when someone trains for a sport). They also can happen from everyday activities in people whose bones are weak due to poor nutrition or …
What Is a Splint? A splint is a support device made of hard material that keeps an injured area from moving. What Are Splints Made of? A splint can be plastic, metal, plaster, or fiberglass. The material may come pre-made in a particular size or it may be moldable into a custom shape. Splints can …
Physical Therapy Basics Doctors often recommend physical therapy (PT) for kids and teens who have been injured or who have movement problems from an illness, disease, or disability. After an injury, physical therapists work to decrease pain, improve movement, and help kids return to daily activities. They teach kids exercises designed to help them regain …
What Is Osgood-Schlatter Disease? Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is swelling and irritation of the growth plate at the top of the shinbone. A growth plate is a layer of cartilage near the end of a bone where most of the bone’s growth happens. It is weaker and more at risk for injury than the rest of the bone. OSD goes away when …
What Are Migraines? A migraine is a type of headache that recurs (keeps coming back). The pain is often throbbing and can happen on one or both sides of the head. Migraines also cause other symptoms. People with migraines can feel dizzy or sick to their stomachs. They may be sensitive to light, noise, or …
What Is Inflammation? Inflammation is one way the body reacts to infection, injury, or other medical conditions. What Are the Different Kinds of Inflammation? Inflammation (in-fluh-MAY-shin) can be acute or chronic: Acute inflammation lasts a few days and helps the body heal after an infection or injury. Chronic inflammation happens if the illness or infection doesn’t go …
All kids get a fever from time to time. A fever itself usually causes no harm and can actually be a good thing — it’s often a sign that the body is fighting an infection. But a high fever sometimes is a sign of a problem that needs your doctor’s attention. Here’s how to take your child’s …
What Are Headaches? A headache is pain felt somewhere in the head or neck.They’re very common in kids, and have a wide range of causes and many levels of severity. It’s important to understand how to recognize when a headache is a passing pain and when it’s something more and needs medical care. What Are …
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