Injury to the ankle in the growing skeleton

Czech version

Authors: T. Pešl; P. Havránek
Authors‘ workplace: Přednosta: prof. MUDr. Petr Havránek, CSc. ; 3. lékařská fakulta a FTNsP Praha ; Klinika dětské chirurgie a traumatologie ; Univerzita Karlova v Praze
Published in: Prakt. Lék. 2008; 88(7): 384-387
Category: Of different specialties

Overview

Ankle fractures are distal tibial and fibular fractures that occur at or distally from the level of the metaphysis. Defining the cutoff between a pediatric and an adult fracture is somewhat arbitrary; the upper age limit of eighteen years is often used. Alternatively, pediatric fractures may be defined as those that occur in individuals with open physes regardless of chronologic age. The potential complications associated with pediatric ankle fractures include those also seen with adult fractures (posttraumatic arthritis, ankle stiffness) as well as those that result from epiphyseal damage, i.e. growth impairment (leg-length discrepancy, angular deformity, or a combination of the both). The goals of treatment are to achieve and maintain a satisfactory reduction and to avoid epiphyseal arrest. A knowledge of common pediatric ankle fracture patterns and the basic principles of their treatment will aid the effective management of these injuries.

Key words:
Physis, distal tibia, ankle joint, fracture, child.

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