Duration

With few exceptions (temporary malnutrition or cortisone intake), a growth disorder is caused by a genetic defect or a chronic disease. For this reason, a growth disorder does not “heal” easily. Longitudinal growth is only possible until the growth joints in the bones (epiphyseal joints) close up during puberty. For this reason, it is important to recognize and treat growth disturbances quickly so that a normal body size can be reached by the end of puberty. During the U-examinations, the pediatrician checks the body height in comparison with peers (percentiles) and can thus carry out further examinations if these growth curves are exceeded or not reached.

Growth disorders in the different parts of the body

Growth disorders can often occur in the knee joint, especially during puberty. In Osgood Schlatter’s disease, very athletic pubertal boys in particular experience pain, protrusions and overheating at the base of the patellar ligament (ligamentum patellae) after overloading. X-rays show changes in the growth plate.

The cause is that in growth phases the bone grows faster than the adherent ligament. A conservative therapy with painkillers, sparing and cooling is usually sufficient, but the complaints can persist for months and recur. Surgical treatment is only rarely necessary, usually the disease heals without permanent damage.

Even bone fractures involving the knee joint and the growth plate can lead to growth disorders. This can result in a difference in leg length (two legs of different lengths), which can lead to arthrosis (wear and tear of the joint) and a limping gait pattern. Particularly often in male adolescents, a growth disorder, the so-called Scheuermann’s disease, occurs in the spine.

This leads to an ossification disorder of the thoracic spine (more rarely the lumbar spine), risk factors are high growth and postural deformities. The majority of patients have no pain, and this often does not occur until adulthood. In addition, a hunchback (kyphosis, humpback) can occur and chronic back problems in adulthood.

X-rays show so-called wedge vertebrae, since the front parts of the vertebral bodies grow more slowly than the rear parts. If the disease is detected in its early stages, therapy through physiotherapy and wearing a corset is sufficient, the prognosis is good. In later stages, surgical therapy may be necessary.