Paediatric Orthopaedics: Fractures & NAI

Question 1

What are the 4 types of fractures commonly seen in children

Answer 1

Complete Fracture (more common in adults)

Greenstick Fracture:

when the incomplete deformation or partial break occurs on the tension side of the bone

Buckle Fracture:

Slight convexitiy of bone

Simple splintage required

Plastic deformity:

More common in forearm

Small cracks in bone

Bone bends

Can lead to dislocation of the proximal or distal head of bone

Question 2

Management of Paediatric fractures

Answer 2

• 95% Treated conservatively:
• Casts
• Braces
• Splints
• Traction

Surgical:

External or internal fixation

Question 3

Complication of femural fracture

Answer 3

Bone can shorten as it remodels

Requires traction to prevent

Question 4

What are Physeal fractures

Answer 4

Fractures of the growth plate

Question 5

Describe the Salter Harris Classifiation

Answer 5

SH5- compression (i.e. jumping from a height)

Question 6

Complication of Physeal fractures

Answer 6

Growth arrest

Question 7

What to look out for in NAI

Answer 7

Inconsistent history

Bruising

Burning

Multiple fractures in different stages of healing

Rib fractures