‘Children's Fractures’, Increase in Outdoor Activities with Spring Weather... Accident Prevention and Safety

According to the "Consumer Hazard Information Trends and Statistical Analysis" published by the Korea Consumer Agency (President Yoon Soo-hyun), there are differences in hazard-prone items by life cycle stage, such as infants (bed 13.8%), children (children's bicycles 8.1%), adolescents (general bicycles 9.3%), young adults (electric wheels 6.2%), adults (stone and tile flooring 4.5%), and the elderly (stone and tile flooring 15.9%). However, except for infant falls, slipping and falling accounted for a large proportion of major hazard causes across all age groups.

Fall down. [Image source=Clipart Korea]

In particular, the proportion of bicycles, kickboards, and electric wheels is high among children and adolescents, so special caution is needed during times like now when outdoor activities increase with the arrival of clear spring weather.

It is fortunate if the injury is limited to simple bruises, but slipping and falling are major causes of fractures, and the patterns, treatment processes, and prognosis of fractures in growing children and adolescents differ from those in adults.

Unlike adults, children's and adolescents' bones contain a large portion of cartilage, making them more elastic to external impacts, which can lead not only to complete fractures but also to bending or incomplete fractures.

The area near joints such as arms or legs, called the epiphysis or growth plate, is where bones grow. This area is more vulnerable to external impacts than the hard bone tissue of adults, accounting for about 15% of fractures in children and adolescents. In severe cases, it can lead to growth disorders or deformities such as halted or twisted bone growth.

Dr. Lee Ji-min, Director of the Joint Center at Daedong Hospital (Orthopedic Specialist), advised, "Since it is a growth period, healing tends to be faster the younger the patient is, but the strong remodeling ability means bones can heal in incorrect positions, so caution is necessary. Early and accurate diagnosis leading to proper bone union is crucial to prevent growth disorders and deformities, making precise diagnosis and treatment planning by an orthopedic specialist very important."

When fractures occur due to falls, pain makes it difficult to move the affected area or bear weight, and swelling, bruising, warmth, and loss of sensation may appear.

Diagnosis is usually possible through X-rays, but in some cases, detailed examinations such as CT or MRI may be required. In children, non-surgical treatment using a plaster cast, commonly called a cast, is mostly performed, but surgery may be necessary depending on the fracture site and type.

During the bone healing process, increased blood supply stimulates growth, which can cause overgrowth of the arms or legs, making them longer than the normal side, or growth disorders that result in shorter or bent bones. Therefore, active treatment under medical supervision is essential.

The most important thing is prevention of accidents. When riding a bicycle, wear a helmet and joint protectors, and use bicycle lanes. Maintain sufficient safety distances in front, behind, and to the sides, and avoid playing around or using smartphones or earphones.