[Bone and joint diseases in children. Effects of sports on bone and joint disorders during childhood]

Abstract

Recently, opposing trends have appeared to be either excessiveness or lack in the frequency of exercise or sports during childhood, both of which are believed to be associated with various sports-related injuries. In childhood, the bones, muscles, and ligaments are developing and not yet matured; though soft and flexible, their relative low strength is inadequate to tolerate abnormal external forces. Although a child's body normally has substantial self-healing ability, there is the risk of causing a lifelong deformity or growth disorder if not treated properly. A comprehensively organized system for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of bone and joint disorders in children should be developed in the future.