Exceptional Children and Disability Information
Orthopedic Impairments
Introduction to NAPCSE's Orthopedic Impairments Page
Under federal law (IDEA), an orthopedic impairment means a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes impairments due to the effects of congenital anomaly (e.g., clubfoot, absence of some member, etc.), impairments due to the effects of disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).
According to Heward (2003), although IDEA uses the term orthopedic impairments, children with physical disabilities may have orthopedic impairments or neuromotor impairments. An orthopedic impairment involves the skeletal system-bones, joints, limbs, and associated muscles. A neuromotor impairment involves the central nervous system, affecting the ability to move, use, feel, or control certain parts of the body. Although orthopedic and neurological impairments are two distinct and separate types of disabilities, they may cause similar limitations in movement. Many of the same educational, therapeutic, and recreational activities are likely to be appropriate for students with orthopedic and neurological impairments. And there is a close relationship between the two types: for example, a child who is unable to move his legs because of damage to the central nervous system (neuromotor impairment) may also develop disorders in the bones and muscles of the legs (orthopedic impairment), especially if he does not receive proper therapy and equipment
Students may be born with or acquire problem with their bones, their joints and/or their muscles. Orthopedic problems may result from deformities, diseases, injuries, or surgeries. Problems a child might be born with include cerebral palsy, Osteogenisis Imperfecta, joint deformities or muscular dystrophy. Injuries or surgeries may result in the loss of a bone and/or muscle tissue and may include the amputation of a limb. Burns and broken bones can also result in damage to both bones and muscles.
The result of orthopedic problems varies, but generally students may have problems using legs, arms, and hands. Some will use assistive technology to help them function as independently as possible.
The topics listed are individual websites that can be accessed only by members of The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE). If you are not a member of NAPCSE, and would like to join, click here to register. Members of NAPCSE, please log in above (member login and password) to activate these, and all other websites, in our database.
Bone Diseases
- Fibrous Dysplasia
- Osteoporosis
- Paget's Disease of Bone
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta
- Hearing Loss and Bone Disorders
- Hypophosphatasia
- Myeloma Bone Disease
- Osteopetrosis
- Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Bibliographies - Bone Links
- The Skeleton — Side View
- Bones, Muscles and Joints-The musculoskeletal system
- Bone Markers
Glossary of Orthopaedic Diagnostic Tests
- Find an Orthopedist
- Bone and joint infections
- Bone Lengthening
- Bone Grafting
- Bone spurs
- Klippel-Feil Syndrome
Orthopaedic Fast Facts - McCune-Albright Syndrome
- Overview of Brachial Plexus Palsy
- Information
- National Brachial Plexus/Erb's Palsy Association
- United Brachial Plexus Network
- Birth Injuries
- Brachial Plexus Injury Assessment
- Can Shoulder Dystocia Be Prevented?
- Shoulder dystocia and brachial plexus injury -
Shoulder dystocia is an obstetrical complication that occurs in thousands of deliveries in the US each year. It has the potential for causing significant, lifelong injury to the newborns involved in such deliveries. - Taking "All Fours" a Little Further (Shoulder Dystocia)
- Brachial Plexus Injuries in the Newborn
- Protocol For Treatment Of Brachial Plexus/Erb's Palsy
- Brachial Plexus/Erb's Palsy Support Groups
- Anatomy
- Anatomy-2
- Brachial Plexus/Erb's Palsy Newsletters
- Overview
- Introduction
- Hopes through Research
- Spasticity
- Types
- Statistics
- Definition
- Glossary
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Causes
- History
- Hydrocephalus
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus
- Overview
- Signs and symptoms
- Causes
- Risk factors
- Screening and diagnosis
- Complications
- Infants and Children
- Prenatal Hydrocephalus
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Types
- Post-polio Syndrome
- Overview with charts
- Spina Bifida
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Prevention
- Living with Spina Bifida
- Educational Issues
- Depression and Anxiety in Individuals with Spina Bifida
- Genetics & Spina Bifida
- Agent Orange Benefits Act
- Latex (Natural Rubber) Allergy in Spina Bifida
- Therapeutic Riding with Spina Bifida
- Spina Bifida Occulta
- Tethering Spinal Cord
- Transitions into Adolescence
- Urologic Care and Management
- Spinal Cord Injury
- About Spinal Cord Injury
- Resources
- Information on Assistive Technology
- What is Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Muscular Atrophies
- Kennedy’s Disease
