Pediatric emergency medicine trisk 3410 3410

Injury frequency increases with increasing age as children become more mobile and active The anatomy and physiology of the immature skeleton results in unique pediatric fracture patterns including greenstick, torus (buckle), and physeal (growth plate) fractures Pediatric bones have less tensile strength than the attached ligaments, resulting in higher rates of fracture from mechanisms that would produce a sprain or dislocation in skeletally mature bone In addition to examination of the injured extremity with inspection, palpation, range of motion (passive and active), and neurovascular examination, there should also be a careful examination of the joints proximal and distal to the point of maximal tenderness The Salter–Harris classification of physeal injuries describes five types of injuries involving the physis and provides important prognostic information Weight-based dosages for pain control should be provided for all pediatric fracture patients both in the ED and once discharged home RELATED CHAPTERS