Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of rare diseases that cause muscles to weaken and deteriorate. MD affects the voluntary muscles that control movement in the arms, legs, and trunk. It also can affect involuntary muscles, such as the heart and respiratory muscles.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways. There are several different types of scoliosis that affect children and adolescents. By far, the most common type is "idiopathic," which means the exact cause is not known.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Fractures caused by osteoporosis most often occur in the spine. These spinal fractures — called vertebral compression fractures — are almost twice as common as other fractures typically linked to osteoporosis, such as broken hips and wrists.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Low back pain sometimes occurs after a specific movement, such as lifting or bending. Just getting older also plays a role in many back conditions. This article explains some of the more common causes of low back pain and describes some general treatment options.| orthoinfo.aaos.org