Conditions We Treat

Learn more about the conditions we treat by reading about them in our online health library.

ACL Injury
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a tear in the ACL ligament. The ACL is located in the middle of the knee joint and connects the lower leg bone to the thigh bone and prevents the leg bone from sliding too far forward at the knee, which would cause instability.

Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia is a genetic disorder that causes dwarfism (short stature). It is a disorder in which bone and cartilage do not grow normally. It is the most common cause of dwarfism.

Arthrogryposis
Very few centers are devoted to treating this condition. By centralizing state-of-the-art techniques, the Hospital for Joint Diseases Center for Children provides an alternative for patients who travel to different locations for treatment.

Avascular Necrosis
We see many cases related to the hip which include Avascular Necrosis of the Hip. Our doctors are well-experienced with each of these conditions and can provide the utmost in care. A unique distraction device has been created by Dr. David Feldman to avoid joint replacement and return patients to their full function.

Bone Tumor
An osteochondroma is the most common type of benign bone tumor. It arises from cartilage tissue in children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 20, usually appearing on the long bones (arms and legs) and less often on the pelvic bones and wing bones (scapulae). An osteochondroma ordinarily stops growing when a person reaches full height.

Blount's
One of the diseases in which limb-lengthening techniques are used is in cases of this condition. The surgeons at the Center for Children have a great amount of experience in dealing with this uncommon growth disorder and have also written about it extensively.

Brachial Plexus Injury (Burner or Stinger)
A burner is an injury to the bundle of nerves that runs from the back of your neck into your arm. These separate nerves come together in the upper shoulder to form the brachial plexus. From here, the nerves go to all the arm muscles. A burner is often called a stinger.

Cerebral Palsy
Children with Cerebral Palsy often have difficulty walking and using their arms. The Center for Children has helped numerous children walk independently and improve use of their hands. Our Cerebral Palsy program aims to help the child reach his or her full potential.

Clubfoot
The NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases Center for Children is a leading hospital in the northeast for treatment related to Clubfoot. Hundreds of patients have been seen by our doctors with rarely a need for major surgery.  The Ponseti Clubfoot Center is one of the preeminent centers in the country for this procedure.

Downs Syndrome
Down syndrome refers to a common genetic disorder that results in birth defects, medical problems and some degree of mental retardation.

Fractures
A fracture is a break in a bone. It can involve any bone in the body.

Hip Dislocation
A hip dislocation occurs when the ball of the thighbone (femur) is moved out of its place within the socket of the pelvic bone (acetabulum). This ball and socket structure forms the hip joint.

Hip Dysplasia
NYU’s Hospital of Joint Diseases (HJD) Center for Children is unique in that there are few hospitals in New York dealing with Hip Dyplasia using such advanced methods. The surgeons at the Center for Children have operated on hundreds of young people and adults and these knowledgeable, experienced individuals have published articles and, spoken extensively at medical conference and symposiums on this subject.

Joint Contractures
Contractures refer to the permanent tightening of non-bony tissues, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, or skin. The result is a loss of motion in the affected joints.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a chronic (long-lasting), disease of the joints, which starts before the age of 16 years old. The joints become inflamed, which leads to pain and/or stiffness. The inflammation can damage cartilage and bone. In some cases, a systemic disease is present along with the arthritis. Without treatment, JRA can interfere with a child’s normal growth and development.

Knee Sprain
A knee sprain is stretching or tearing of the ligaments that support the knee. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to each other.

Limb Lengthening
Our staff have spoken nationally on the subject of Limb Lengthening and Limb Deformity, and are experts in the field. With varied methods to treat the condition, from surgical intervention to exercises, children can be effectively treated in a myriad of ways.

Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited, progressive muscle disorders. All forms of muscular dystrophy cause progressive weakness and degeneration of the muscles that control movement. Some also affect the heart muscle or other organs. Age of onset is between infancy to late teens. The most common form is called Duchenne dystrophy. Other forms include Becker (a milder form than Duchenne) and myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of articular cartilage in the joints, usually followed by chronic inflammation of the lining of the joint. Healthy cartilage serves as a cushion between the bones in a joint. Osteoarthritis usually affects the hands, feet, spine, hips, and knees. People with osteoarthritis usually have joint pain and limited movement of the affected joint.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)
Our doctors have a vast amount of experience with this condition. With traditional treatments being perfected, and new treatments for strengthening OI bone being investigated, most babies born today with OI have a good chance of leading independent, successful and satisfying lives. Additional information on Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and brittle. If left unchecked, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks (fracture). Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist.

Perthes Disease
The Hospital for Joint Diseases (HJD) Center for Children uses many techniques to deal with Perthes Disease or, Legg-Calve-Perthes as is it also referred to, and our doctors are experts in the field. Early treatment of this condition can lessen problems in the hip later in life.

Scoliosis
The NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases Center for Children utilizes minimally invasive and state-of-the-art techniques to achieve the best cosmetic and functional outcomes in children and adolescents with scoliosis. We are part of a nationwide study in the use of bracing and Scoliosis and, is at the forefront in advances and treatment of this condition. Additional information on Scoliosis

Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a type of birth defect called a neural tube defect. In spina bifida, a baby's spine does not close completely during early pregnancy. Spina bifida can begin to develop in a fetus even before the mother knows she is pregnant.

Sports Related Injuries
Did you know that wrist and hand injuries make up 3-9% of all athletic injuries? In fact, they are amongst the most common injuries experienced by athletes. Unfortunately, many athletes (and you know who you are) treat hand and wrist injuries as trivial and never seek appropriate treatment. However, delaying the diagnosis and treatment of a hand or wrist injury may result in longstanding or even permanent disability.

Rickets
Rickets (in children) and osteomalacia (in adults) are two forms of a metabolic bone disease resulting from vitamin D deficiency. Both cause softening and weakening of bones because of defective or inadequate bone mineralization.