Children are frequently injured either when engaging in sports or while playing in playgrounds and currently these are the most common causes of visits to paediatric orthopaedists.

Fortunately such falls rarely result in serious injuries and are generally treated with non-surgical methods.

Injuries in children shall be handled differently from adults. Because healing and monitoring of bone fractures are completely different. Most important of all is the self-healing properties of bones.

It can be explained with this example; in a two-year old child we find it acceptable in certain limits if the ends of the tibia bone do not fully contact and has an angle when placed in a cast and we know the bone will return to normal shape in a short time. Sometimes it is hard for families to accept this and visit many doctors. At this point families shall trust the self-healing abilities of the bones.

Another property of childhood fractures is the injuries in the growth areas. In this case, accurately relocating the growth area of the fractures bone and when necessary surgical treatment shall be considered. Families shall be explained that arms or legs can be bent after growth area fractures and early diagnosis can lead to treatment with very simple methods.

Elbow fractures in children are caused by falling onto the hand and shall be urgently treated. The problem we fear the most is the haemorrhage in the fracture area to cause pressure on the nerves and veins resulting in permanent disability in the hands and finger.

Therefore children falling on their elbows shall be examined without delay and urgent treatment shall be practiced.

Fractures in children cannot always be seen radiologically. Especially unsplit fractures in the feet or ankles caused by falling from height can avoid detection in radiographies. It shall be noted that if the child limps after falling and says she has pain, it shall be considered a fracture, braced and examined and filmed after a few days. Fracture line becomes visible in radiography taken later and diagnosis can become easier. It is important that families do not force the child to walk in this period.

As a result, childhood fractures shall be closely monitored after early treatment. Operation shall be done with the highest treatment standard in cases where surgery is necessary.

1- Child bones are more elastic.

2- Since the periost is thicker and more active, fractures union is faster compared to adults

3- Bone angling due to malunion can be corrected with reshaping.

4- Complication on non-union is less.

5- Generally, conservative treatment methods are used. Fractures that require surgery: Split humerus condyle fractures, radius neck fracture, Monteggia fracture, femoral neck fracture, tibia frontal eminentia fracture and fractures regarding joints and epiphysis.

6- Shortness or deformity may develop in fractures related to growth cartilage.

Contents of the page are for information purposes only, you must consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.