Treatment for Achondroplasia

 If you read the symptoms section you will see that there are many health problems associated with Achondroplasia. When special problems complicate achondroplasia, prompt and expert intervention is important.

Treatment for short stature and short limbs in Achondroplasia

• Treatment with growth hormone may result in lengthening of bones, but it may also cause bone deformities.
• Severely deformed bones may require surgical correction.

Treatments for spinal problems associated with Achondroplasia.

Many of the more serious health problems with Achondroplasia are associated with the spine.

One of the main problems is a narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord know as spinal stenosis.

Another problem with the spine is improper curvature. The two main types of curvature problems are kyphosis and lordosis. Kyphosis is when the spine curves too far outward and lordosis is when the spine curves too far inward. Both of these problems can usually be treated with bracing and physical therapy. If bracing does not work and the spine curves to much then surgery is needed to fix the problem.

Treatment for low muscle tone in Achondroplasia

Low muscle tone know as hypotonia is seen in most children with Achondroplasia. It is not unusual for this to cause delays in sitting walking and gross motor skils. This is treated with physical therapy with limited success. Because of the weak muscles there may appear compression of the spinal cord and/or upper airway obstruction which increases the risk of death in infancy.