Citation

Chaibi E, Zambelli PY, Merckaert S. Eur. J. Trauma Emerg. Surg. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00068-020-01400-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

PURPOSE: About 20% of all fractures in children occur at the lower extremity. This study aims to investigate the epidemiology and injury pattern of lower extremity fractures within the pediatric population consulting a tertiary referral hospital in Switzerland.

METHODS: Study population included all patients up to 16 years presenting with a lower extremity fracture over a period of one year. Recorded data were age, gender, side, season of the year, mechanism, type of fracture and applied treatment.

RESULTS: Fractures of the lower extremity represent 23% of all fractures with a mean age of 9 years and 6 months. The tibia, with 94 fractures (38%), represents the most frequently injured bone. Peak incidence is seen in winter and 24% of tibia shaft fractures were due to board sports. Overall, 82% of fractures were treated by cast with or without closed reduction, and only 18% requested surgery.

CONCLUSION: Board sports seems to be a leading cause of tibial shaft fracture in our region. Nevertheless, only 18% of fractures had recourse to an orthopedic surgeon, hence the importance of the teaching quality of pediatric residents for conservative fracture treatment.

Language: en

Keywords

Epidemiology; Lower extremity; Fractures; Pediatric injuries