Pediatric Fractures Are Not Minor Adult Fractures: Why Children Require Specialised Orthopaedic Care - Dr Somesh Virmani

Many parents consider their child's broken bone as a minor adult fracture and assume it will heal on its own. However, this is not true. Since bones during childhood are softer and elastic, it makes children vulnerable to unique injuries such as growth plate fractures.

Nearly 10 to 25% of all pediatric injuries result in fractures, and the WHO states that fractures form the most common category of unintentional injuries suffered by children below the age of 1,5, and these require timely medical attention.

If left untreated during childhood, these fractures can lead to deformities in the future. Thus, making specialised orthopaedic care essential for children.

Why Are Children's Bones Different?

Children’s bones are still growing. They are softer, more pliable and contain growth plates, special areas at the ends of the bones that determine how long and strong your bones will become.

Growth plates are much more vulnerable to injury than other bony injuries, and improper management of these injuries can lead to long-term problems involving growth. If children’s growth plate injuries are not properly managed, they can lead to shortening of limbs or, worse, limb deformities.

Children’s bones contain more cartilage, which does not appear on X-rays. This can sometimes make diagnosing fractures in children more challenging.

Fractures in children differ from those in adults. Some fracture types are unique to children, such as:

• Greenstick fracture: The bone bends and partially cracks, similar to how a young branch bends without breaking completely.

• Buckle (or torus) fracture: The bone compresses and bulges outward instead of breaking into separate pieces.

There are several other types of fractures seen in children, which are very uncommon in adults.

Why Specialised Care is Important

It takes more than a cast and a watchful eye to treat a child's fracture. The doctor who treats children's fractures knows how to:

• Protect growth plates

• Properly position bones

• Prevent deformity or issues with bone growth

The silver lining for everyone is the fact that children tend to heal faster than adults. The downside to that heel time is if the fracture is not positioned correctly, the bones have the potential to heal in an improper position, leading to problems later in life.

What happens if the fracture is not treated appropriately?

If a fracture involving a growth plate (also) or bone alignment is missed or treated and not noticed, problems such as the following may occur later in life:

• To have uneven leg or arm length

• Deviation of the bone from normal alignment

• Inability to move the joint normally

• Less confidence in sports and regular life's physical activities

• The Key Things for Parents to Remember

A child's fracture is not just a "little adult fracture". Children require treatment where growth is considered. The paediatric orthopaedic specialist will ensure that the child not only heals quickly but also grows with strong, healthy bones and confidence.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Health Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Health Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.