Pediatric musculoskeletal trauma

Abstract

Purpose of review: Articles in this survey were selected for clinical relevance, quality, controversy, or because they appeared in groups that could present, a useful theme and comparison. This review looks specifically at studies that address injury prevention and the types of injuries that an orthopaedic surgeon may see in clinical practice. Recent findings: An excellent series of articles appeared this year that discussed the severe nature of injuries related to use of high-energy devices, including all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, power lawnmowers, trampolines, and motor vehicles. Certainly, young children should never be allowed to operate these devices. All involve a high-energy injury mechanism in a child who is not developmentally prepared to use these machines safely. Sporting injuries have specific characteristics that, through an organized approach, may be reduced in prevalence and severity. Other topics of interest in this review include outcome studies of olecranon fractures that show good long-term results for isolated injuries with reasonable articular restoration, a more specific description of the different types of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality, and an excellent protocol for use of cervical MRI in the child who may have sustained a spine injury. Summary: The thoughtful orthopaedic surgeon can make a difference in prevention, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of these conditions.