Pediatric Fracture Management

Broken bones or fractures in children are common, occurring in as many as 40 percent of adolescent girls and 50 percent of boys. Most often the result of trauma such as a fall, these breaks vary in type and severity, factors which will play important roles in determining treatment and recovery.

Types of Pediatric Fractures

A bone may be broken entirely or partially, in one place or in multiple, by twisting or by force. There are many distinguishing characteristics of bone fractures, and each of these characteristics are used to classify the type of break into one of the following categories:

• Greenstick - Among the most common types of childhood fractures, greenstick fractures are those where the bone bends but only breaks on one side.
• Torus/Buckle - The bone is bent and weakened but not broken.
• Avulsion - A small piece of bone is disconnected by a tendon or ligament.
• Growth Plate - A fracture that occurs in the growth plate, or cartilage, at the end of growing bones. Approximately 15 to 30 percent of all childhood fractures affect growth plates. These require careful monitoring to ensure the bone fully heals and continues to grow without complication.
• Stress - A very small crack in the bone.
• Comminuted - A fracture of the bone into three or more pieces.