Children and young people with disability: Management and support

Abstract

Support for children and young people with disabling conditions and their families is a hallmark of a civilized society. A host of conditions can present to the orthopaedic surgeon, both known complications of the disorder and as conditions seen in the general population (see Table 3.1). Through early diagnosis, new therapeutic interventions, and better social and health care, children are surviving longer [1], in many cases into adult life, with multiple and complex needs. Innovations, especially in the realms of supportive equipment and biomechanics, surgical techniques such as minimal access surgery, information technology, and advances in educational theory and pharmacology, have significantly improved the day-to-day life of disabled children and their parents. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2010.