The medical treatment of pediatric fractures requires the utmost care, skill, diligence, and compassion. The orthopaedic surgeons at Urgently Ortho, serving Phoenix and surrounding areas in Arizona, are highly experienced in treating fractures in children and adolescents of all ages. If your child or loved one has a fracture, Urgently Ortho’s attentive team of medical professionals is on duty and ready to relieve pain and inflammation, treat damage, and assist you on the road to recovery. Use the online scheduler or call today.
A fracture is a break in the bone that usually takes place when excess force or pressure is applied to the bone to the point of damage and injury. A pediatric fracture is a child’s fracture that requires specialized care from a medical professional.
Some fractures and injuries mirror those seen in adult athletes, but the injury patterns, diagnostic techniques, and the choice of treatment can vary more significantly in the pediatric population. Some pediatric fractures can alter the growth and development of the joint.
There are different types of fractures.
Open fractures occur when the broken bone breaks through the skin. Open fractures are rarer and carry a risk of infection if they aren’t properly treated.
A closed fracture, or simple fracture, occurs when the bone is broken, but the skin remains intact.
A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone that’s typically caused by repetitive force, stress, or overuse.
Growth plate fractures are unique to children. Children have areas of developing cartilage tissue from which bone grows (open-growth plates) at either end of their long bones. Growth plate injuries are common and, in some cases, they can result in complications, such as angular deformities and limb-length discrepancies.
These are two common growth plate injuries that often happen when children are growing quickly or participating in a repetitive activity. Sever’s disease is the inflammation of the growth plate in the heel of developing children and Osgood-Schlatter’s disease causes a painful lump below the kneecap.
The bones of developing children are different from the bones of fully grown adults for a number of reasons.
Children’s growing bones are resilient and bendable and more likely to bend or buckle.
Children heal more quickly than adults due to the thicker layer of connective tissue (periosteum) that surrounds their bones to defend against harm and injury.
The open-growth plates of children that regulate future bone growth are more vulnerable and susceptible to injury. If this part of the bone doesn’t heal properly following a fracture, the bone can grow at an angle or grow more slowly than other bones in the body.
The Urgently Ortho specialist examines the break and typically orders various testing methods to determine the extent of the damage. Treatments vary. Depending on the type and severity of the damage, he or she might recommend:
Urgently Ortho ensures your child feels as comfortable as possible throughout the course of treatment. If you have questions, call the office or schedule online.
