Down Syndrome:Musculoskeletal EffectsDown syndrome is one of the most common genetic disorders. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it affects about 1 baby in every 700 births.Children with Down syndrome have varying dev

GoutGout is a disorder that causes sudden attacks of intense pain, swelling, and redness in your joints or soft tissues. In many cases, the first attacks occur in the joints of the big toe, but gout can affect many other joints. It is one type of i

Cauda Equina SyndromeAlthough leg pain is common and usually goes away without surgery, cauda equina syndrome, a rare disorder affecting the bundle of nerve roots (cauda equina) at the lower (lumbar) end of the spinal cord, is a surgical emergency.

Toe WalkingToe walking is a pattern of walking in which a child walks on balls of his or her feet, with no contact between the heels and ground. Toe walking is common in children who are learning to walk. After the age of 2, however, most children

OverviewOsteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine.Bone i

Adolescent Anterior Knee Pain A teenager or young adult who is physically active and participates in sports may sometimes experience pain in the front and center of the knee, usually underneath the kneecap (patella). This condition—called adolescent

Vitamin DFact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsWoman shopping for dietary supplementsHave a question?Ask ODS: ods.od.nih.gov/contactTable of ContentsIntroductionReference IntakesSources of Vitamin DVitamin D Intakes and StatusVitamin D Defici

Fractures of the Thoracic and Lumbar SpineSpinal fractures can vary widely in severity. Some fractures are very serious injuries that result from high-energy trauma and require emergency treatment. Other fractures can be the result of a lower-impa