Pediatric Orthopedic Examination
Prevention, safety, and expert care

Why is regular pediatric orthopedic examination important?

Early screening of the developing musculoskeletal system

During childhood, the musculoskeletal system undergoes intensive development. In this sensitive period, minor abnormalities – if detected in time – can be effectively corrected, preventing later painful or persistent problems. The goal of a pediatric orthopedic examination is to identify subtle deviations that are not always visible to the naked eye, yet can have a long-term impact on posture, movement, and bone structure.

When should you consult a pediatric orthopedist?

As a parent, it is often difficult to decide when an expert examination is needed. Generally, it is recommended to consult a pediatric orthopedist if the child’s gait, posture, or movement deviates from the usual, or if they report complaints such as pain in the leg, knee, or hip.

It is advisable to consult a specialist not only in case of complaints: from an orthopedic perspective, examinations are highly recommended in infancy (e.g., hip screening), preschool age (posture, signs of flat foot), and before starting school, when physical exertion significantly increases.

For children involved in sports, regular check-ups can be particularly important, as the developing body is more susceptible to injury if an underlying abnormality is present.

How is a pediatric orthopedic examination conducted at BMM?

Examination steps in a friendly environment

At the Budapest Private Orthopedic Clinic, pediatric orthopedic examinations take place in a calm, safe atmosphere. The goal is for the child to feel comfortable while the specialist obtains a detailed picture of their musculoskeletal condition.

Main steps of the examination:

• Detailed anamnesis taking, discussion of parental observations.
• Observation of the child’s posture, gait, and movement patterns.
• Manual examination – checking the condition of joints, muscles, and bones.

The examination is conducted in a playful, patient manner, adapted to the age group. The parent can be present throughout, so the child can feel safe.

Common problems treated by pediatric orthopedics

Flat foot, poor posture, scoliosis

Among the most common orthopedic abnormalities are flat foot, poor posture, and scoliosis. These conditions can develop even in early childhood, but initially often do not cause pain – which is why screening is important.

• Poor posture: forward-sloping shoulders due to weak back muscles.
• Scoliosis (scoliosis): a sideways curvature of the spine, which can worsen without treatment and lead to kyphosis.
• Flat foot: a collapse of the foot’s arch, which can lead to knee and lower back pain over time.

With early detection and appropriate treatment, these can be well corrected.

Gait disorders, hip problems, foot pain

Deviations in gait can be observed in early childhood, but often only become noticeable later, during school age. The same applies to mild pains, which often have an orthopedic cause.

• Gait disorders: for example, inwardly turned feet, toe walking, waddling gait
• Hip problems: developmental abnormalities, asymmetries, pain occurring with load
• Foot pain: can result from overuse, flat foot, or axial deviations

These deviations, if treated in time, can be well managed, and secondary complaints can be prevented.

Sports-related musculoskeletal complaints in childhood

Sports activities are beneficial but can also place increased strain on the developing musculoskeletal system. Pediatric orthopedics often encounters complaints arising from overuse or repetitive movements.

Common problems:

• pain around the knee (e.g., Osgood-Schlatter disease),
• tightness around the Achilles tendon,
• heel pain (Sever’s disease),
• overuse joint complaints.

Screening and targeted orthopedic examination can help identify if modification of movement, physiotherapy, or the use of special equipment is needed.

Pediatric orthopedic examination from age 6
– expert support at the right moment