Children break bones more easily than adults - so pediatric fractures are very common. There are several unique features of the pediatric musculoskeletal system that need to be considered in management decisions of all of these injuries - growth plates, plasticity, callus formation, remodeling potential, and partial breaks are some of the key ones. Recognition and appropriate management of pediatric fractures by ED providers is critical. While some common minor wrist and ankle fractures can be treated with a less conservative approach encouraging an early return to activities, other fractures if not treated properly can result in long term functional problems for the child and/or be a sign of child maltreatment.
Evidence Repository: Fractures (upper and lower)
Dr. Kathy Boutis
Dr. Kathy Boutis
Evidence repositories are collections of best available resources and evidence (clinical guidelines, peer reviewed literature, systematic reviews, etc.), collated by our knowledge synthesis team and content advisors. This evidence repository is not intended to be an exhaustive list of resources for a topic, but rather a curated list of current, evidence-based resources, based on expert consensus of relevance and usability for a general emergency department setting. We search databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, TRIP Database) and web search engines (Google, Google Scholar) to locate evidence. Additionally, hospital websites are browsed for guidance documents, such as clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for healthcare professionals.
Every effort is made to identify resources that are open access (i.e. publicly available, free of charge, not requiring a subscription).
More information about the creation of our evidence repositories can be found at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28537762/
Bottom Line Recommendations: Fractures
Boutis K & TREKK Network
Boutis K & TREKK Network
The purpose of this document is to provide healthcare professionals with key facts and recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of fractures in children. Original (version 1.0) published online: November 2015. Updated (version 2.0) published online: February 2018. Updated (version 3.0) published online: May 2021.
Recommandations de Base: Fractures chez l'enfant
Boutis, K & TREKK Network
Boutis, K & TREKK Network
Recommandations de base pour le diagnostic et le traitement des fractures chez les enfants. Original (version 1.0) publié en ligne en décembre 2016. Mise à jour (version 2.0) publiée en ligne février 2018. Mise à jour (version 3.0) publiée en ligne mai 2021.
Evidence Repository: Fractures (upper and lower)
Dr. Kathy Boutis
Dr. Kathy Boutis
Evidence repositories are collections of best available resources and evidence (clinical guidelines, peer reviewed literature, systematic reviews, etc.), collated by our knowledge synthesis team and content advisors. This evidence repository is not intended to be an exhaustive list of resources for a topic, but rather a curated list of current, evidence-based resources, based on expert consensus of relevance and usability for a general emergency department setting. We search databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, TRIP Database) and web search engines (Google, Google Scholar) to locate evidence. Additionally, hospital websites are browsed for guidance documents, such as clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for healthcare professionals.
Every effort is made to identify resources that are open access (i.e. publicly available, free of charge, not requiring a subscription).
More information about the creation of our evidence repositories can be found at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28537762/
Bottom Line Recommendations: Fractures
Boutis K & TREKK Network
Boutis K & TREKK Network
The purpose of this document is to provide healthcare professionals with key facts and recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of fractures in children. Original (version 1.0) published online: November 2015. Updated (version 2.0) published online: February 2018. Updated (version 3.0) published online: May 2021.
Recommandations de Base: Fractures chez l'enfant
Boutis, K & TREKK Network
Boutis, K & TREKK Network
Recommandations de base pour le diagnostic et le traitement des fractures chez les enfants. Original (version 1.0) publié en ligne en décembre 2016. Mise à jour (version 2.0) publiée en ligne février 2018. Mise à jour (version 3.0) publiée en ligne mai 2021.
Infographic- My child has a fracture, now what?
Video- Living with a fracture - a conversation with teens
Taylor was playing soccer when they broke a bone in their arm. This video talks about what to expect when a child or teen breaks a bone. There are many types of broken bones, or fractures, but it's important as parents to know what to do when your child breaks a bone, what to expect as they recover, and when to get more help. Watch this video developed by ECHO and ARCHE at the University of Alberta for more information on fractures in children and teens.
Infographic- My child has a fracture, now what?
Video- Living with a fracture - a conversation with teens
Taylor was playing soccer when they broke a bone in their arm. This video talks about what to expect when a child or teen breaks a bone. There are many types of broken bones, or fractures, but it's important as parents to know what to do when your child breaks a bone, what to expect as they recover, and when to get more help. Watch this video developed by ECHO and ARCHE at the University of Alberta for more information on fractures in children and teens.