Children's fracture Flashcards
Do boys or girls get injured more frequently?
Boys
The lower limb is more frequently fractured in children. T/F
False - upper limb
What is Wolf’s law?
Bone adapts to load/stresses placed on it
What is Heuter Volkmann’s law?
Compression inhibits growth and tension stimulates it
Children have a higher chance of healing normally than adults. T/F
True
What is a greenstick fracture?
One side of a bone is broken while the other is bent
What is a torus fracture?
Incomplete fractures of long bone shafts caused by axial pressure causing bulging of cortex
What is a bowing fracture/plastic deformation?
Incomplete fracture of a long bone causing bending
What are clinically suspicious signs of non-accidental injury?
Fractures in various stages of healing
Raised ICP in infants
Suspected intra-abdominal trauma in young children
How can children’s fractures be investigated?
X-ray if ossified
Ultrasound
Arthrogram (joints)
CT/MRI (older children)
How are children’s fractures managed?
Reduce (if needed), retain and rehabilitate
How accurately do children’s fractures have to be reduced?
Not very as they have marked remodelling potential
How can the nerves of the arm be tested?
Radial - thumbs up
Ulna - star fish
Median - okay sign
What is the most common treatment of children’s fractures?
Plaster of paris cast (followed by traction and less invasive fixation)
How are diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures managed respectively?
Diaphyseal - joint above and below immobilised
Metapyseal - adjacent joint immobilised
