Childhood obesity increases the need for reduction and operative management of ankle fractures

Abstract

Purpose: Pediatric ankle injuries are common and have a wide range of severity, ranging from ligament strain/sprain to unstable fracture-dislocations. Overweight (BMI ≥85th percentile to < 95th percentile) and obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) children have been noted to be more prone to sustaining fractures, losing reduction of fractures, and having more pre/post-operative complications than their normal-BMI counterparts. The goal of this study is to define the relative need for a reduction or surgical treatment for ankle fractures in …