World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day Date in the current year: October 19, 2024

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are disorders that affect the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of the bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Many people associate MSDs with the older age group, but in reality bone and joint issues can affect people of all ages, including kids and adolescents.

Bone and joint disorders in children can occur as part of a child’s growth, be caused by injury, infection or cancer, or even occur for no apparent reason. Some connective tissue disorders that also affect the bones are hereditary. They include Marfan syndrome, brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta), osteochondrodysplasias, and more. Risk factors that contribute to the development of bone and joint disorders in children include poor posture, childhood obesity, and calcium or vitamin D deficiency.

While it is true that children can outgrow some bone and joint disorders, it doesn’t mean that these disorders can be ignored. You can’t know how a musculoskeletal disorder will affect your child without getting a proper diagnosis. Without treatment, some bone and joint disorders may cause long-lasting damage and even permanent disability.

According to statistics, about 19 million children are treated for some kind of musculoskeletal condition every year in the United States alone. Bone and joint pain makes American children miss 149 million school days a year, which makes musculoskeletal disorders the second most common cause of missing school after respiratory infections.

World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day was established by the Pediatric Specialty Group, a program of the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJ) created to promote children’s bone and joint health and raise awareness of musculoskeletal issues that affect kids and adolescents.

Every year, the Pediatric Specialty Group chooses a new theme for World PB&J Day in order to raise awareness of specific musculoskeletal disorders that affect children, risk factors, and other aspects of children’s bone and joint health. Past themes have included “Kids and the Effects of Obesity on the Musculoskeletal System”, “Kids and Vitamin D Deficiency”, “The Adolescent Female Athlete Triad”, “Childhood and Adolescent ACL Injuries”, “Kids, Bones, Joints, & Obesity – Tips for Parents and Patients, and Primary Care Providers”, “Clubfoot Can Be Corrected Non-Surgically”, “Children Get Arthritis, Too!”, and “Youth Sports Specialization Can Be Detrimental To Future Success”.

How can you participate in World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day? There are many ways to get involved! For example, you can read about musculoskeletal disorders in children, donate to an organization that supports children with musculoskeletal issues or funds medical research, and spread awareness on social media.