Treatment depends on the type of obstruction. If obstructive airway obstruction is present, therapy can include tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or tracheostomy placement. The limbs have rhizomelic shortening. Occasionally, children have these leg curvatures corrected. The fingers and toes are short.
Infants have a thoracolumbar kyphosis in the sitting position.
Since infants with achondroplasia often have reduced tone, it is recommended that they not be placed in umbrella-type strollers, jumpers, or swings that do not provide good back support since these devices may lead to the development of a gibbus or hump in the back. As the child begins to walk, the kyphosis disappears and the back assumes a lordotic posture. If a child is delayed in walking, the spine should be monitored closely for signs of gibbus formation. Neurologic complications can occur in achondroplasia. In infancy, hydrocephaluscan develop.