Step forward and help children walk on their own two feet
When the subjects of joint replacement and arthritis are discussed in general conversation, they are regularly associated with adults and older people.
Yet, children also suffer from musculoskeletal problems that result in early arthritis and may require joint replacement. These include Cerebral Palsy, Clubfoot, Brittle Bone Disease, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and Developmental Dysplasia of the hips. This is why I write to you today, to ask you for your support to help research into these childhood conditions.
Developmental Dysplasia of the hips and knees is the main focus of our newsletter cover story about 11 year old, Danielle Bradshaw. It is an extremely heart-wrenching story about a brave young girl who made the difficult choice to have her own leg amputated. Danielle’s decision may have been easier, and her options wider, had there been more research into the outcome of her condition.
Outcome measures for early treatment are poor and there is a real problem in respect of screening for Danielle’s disorder. If left untreated, osteoarthritis will eventually develop. Despite efforts in the past, the diagnosis of the condition — for Danielle and others like her — can still be too late. More research is needed to find ways of detecting her condition earlier and more research means more funds are needed.
Out of 700,000 babies born in the UK each year, over 17,000 will be born with an Orthopaedic condition:
1-2 in 1,000 may have a development problem of the hip at birth
Clubfoot occurs in 1 in 735 (boys are affected twice as often as girls)
Perthes’ Disease affects 1 in 8,000, when the ball of the hip joint loses its blood supply resulting in deformity
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy affects 1 in 3,500 boys
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis affects 10,000 to 20,000 children under 16
Cerebral Palsy affects 2,000 year at birth and is a condition we can influence right now
Research Joint Action has recently funded — through your previous donations — has led to the development of a new, minimally invasive, multi-level surgery technique for children with Cerebral Palsy. This is now routinely carried out at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital, Oxford and has generated excitement and interest nationally and internationally — thank you. Compared with conventional multi-level surgery, operating time, blood loss and time to mobilise are significantly reduced.
Together, we can achieve the Joint Action Challenge of raising £350,000 during 2010 and help many, many more children, like Danielle.
Danielle has always had a passion for sport but could not participate. Please make a donation to Orthopaedic Research today so that more children like Danielle, can live their dreams and walk on their own two feet.
Photo courtesy of MEN Media