These 3 injuries sound similar, but affect different parts of the body. A sprain happens when a ligament — the tough band of tissue connecting 2 bones at a joint — gets stretched or torn. Sprains are common in ankles, wrists and knees. A strain involves a muscle or tendon (the tissue connecting muscle to bone) getting overstretched or torn. You'll often hear strains called "pulled muscles."

A fracture is a break in the bone itself, and it can range from a tiny hairline crack to a complete break. In children, fractures may look different than in adults because growing bones are softer and more flexible. Your child's orthopedic team will use imaging like X-rays to figure out exactly what's going on and recommend the right treatment for the specific injury.

Children aren't just small adults. Their skeletons are fundamentally different. Kids have cartilage growth plates near the ends of their bones. Growth plates are softer than mature bone, which allows them to grow but makes them more vulnerable to injury.

A pediatric orthopedic specialist has additional training in how growing bones, muscles and joints develop and heal. They understand how an injury or condition today could affect your child's growth years from now. They also know that many childhood orthopedic issues — like certain fractures or alignment concerns — can resolve differently than the same issues in adults, sometimes requiring a completely different treatment approach.

Some signs are obvious: visible swelling, bruising, your child refusing to put weight on a leg after a fall. But other reasons to see a pediatric orthopedic specialist aren't always as clear-cut. Persistent limping, complaints about bone or joint pain that last more than a few days, uneven shoulders or hips and toe-walking past age 2 can all point to something worth evaluating.

You don't need to wait for a referral if you're concerned. If something about the way your child moves, stands or walks doesn't look right to you, trust that instinct. Early evaluation often means simpler treatment — and in many cases, a pediatric orthopedist can reassure you that what you're seeing is a normal part of growth.

Kids can develop orthopedic issues from injuries, trauma, growth patterns or conditions they're born with. Some of the most common include fractures (broken bones are the most frequent childhood orthopedic injury), scoliosis (a sideways curve of the spine), meniscus tears, ACL injuries, flat feet, clubfoot, limb length differences, developmental hip dysplasia and other hip conditions.

Many of these conditions are highly treatable — especially when caught early. Treatment depends on your child's age, how severe the condition is and how it's affecting their movement and daily life. Options can range from observation and physical therapy to bracing, casting or surgery when needed.

Not necessarily. Many pediatric orthopedic conditions improve with non-surgical treatments like physical therapy, bracing, casting or simply monitoring as your child grows. Children's bones heal faster than adult bones, and some alignment issues correct on their own over time.

When surgery is the best path forward, pediatric orthopedic surgeons use techniques designed specifically for growing bodies. The goal is always to restore function, relieve pain and protect your child's future growth. Your care team will walk you through what they're recommending, why they're recommending it and what recovery looks like — so you can make a confident decision about your child's care.