The caring board-certified orthopedic surgeons of Mehling Orthopedics, Brian Mehling, MD, and Pavel Yufit, MD, have ample experience working with children and treating pediatric fractures in multiple locations in Hackensack, New Jersey, or West Islip, New York. A pediatric fracture is a stressful and scary time for your child and you’ll need the help and medical support of highly qualified specialists. The surgeons at Mehling orthopedics treat children and adolescents of all ages and work diligently to relieve pain and inflammation, treat damage, and assist on the road to recovery. Call or click to schedule today.
A fracture refers to a break in the bone that typically happens when excess pressure or force is applied to the bone. A pediatric fracture is a child’s fracture that necessitates highly specialized care from a medical professional like Dr. Mehling and Dr. Yufit.
Some pediatric fractures can alter the development and growth of the joint.
There are different types of fractures.
A closed fracture (simple fracture) takes place when the bone is broken, but the skin remains intact.
Open fractures occur when a broken bone breaks through the skin. Open fractures are rarer and pose a risk of infection if they aren’t treated properly.
A stress fracture refers to a tiny crack in the bone that’s usually the result of repetitive force, overuse, or stress.
Growth plate fractures occur only in children. With children, at either end of their long bones, bone grows from areas of developing cartilage tissue (open growth plates). Growth plate injuries can happen due to complications, such as limb-length discrepancies and angular deformities.
Osgood-Schlatter’s and Sever’s disease are common growth plate injuries that often occur when children are participating in a repetitive activity or growing quickly. Osgood-Schlatter’s disease causes a painful lump below the kneecap and Sever’s disease refers to inflammation of the growth plate in the heel of developing children.
For numerous reasons, the bones of developing children differ from the bones of fully grown adults.
Children heal more quickly than adults because of the thicker layer of connective tissue (periosteum) surrounding their bones that defends them against injury and harm. Children’s growing bones are also bendable and resilient, making them more likely to buckle or bend.
Open growth plates of children are vulnerable and susceptible to injury. Following a fracture, if this area of the bone doesn’t heal properly, the bone can grow slower than other bones in the body or it can grow at an angle, leading to complications.
After testing and assessment, depending on the severity and type of the damage, your orthopedic surgeon might suggest:
If you have questions about a pediatric fracture, call Mehling Orthopedics or request an appointment online.