Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Paediatric orthopaedics conditions such as flat feet, scoliosis, congenital hand and foot differences require early attention to prevent development of significant deformities. 

Common injuries in children 
Injuries are common among children. Fractures tend to occur more frequently than joint dislocations, as children's ligaments and periosteum are stronger than their bones. Additionally, the adaptable epiphysis gives children a greater capacity for recovery. Remarkably, even if a broken bone is not perfectly realigned, it may still heal fully and straighten over time due to the strong remodelling ability of growing tissue. 

Different age groups are prone to different types of injury. 

Infants
Clavicular fractures and brachial plexus injuries may occur in larger babies during difficult labour. These conditions are associated with complications during birth. Brachial plexus injury is particularly serious, with a potentially long recovery period and, in some cases, the need for surgery. 

Age 2–3 years
Radial head subluxation, commonly known as pulled elbow, is a frequent injury in this age group. Another common injury is fracture of the distal humerus, which can be difficult to detect. CT or MRI scans may be required for accurate diagnosis. 

Age 3–8 years
Children in this age range often experience fractures of the distal humerus, distal radius and the shafts of the radius and ulna. 

Teenagers
In addition to common fractures, joint dislocations become more prevalent in adolescence. Typical dislocations include those of the patella, elbow and shoulder. 

Scaphoid fractures in the wrist are also common among teenagers, usually resulting from falls onto an outstretched hand. Prompt treatment is essential. Minimally invasive surgery is often performed, using a percutaneous screw to fix the fracture, with no plaster required afterwards. Because the pain may be mild, some patients delay seeking treatment, which can lead to long-term discomfort and complications such as non-union fractures. These cases may require more complex surgical intervention. 

Burns
Burns, particularly scalds from hot water or soup, are among the most common childhood accidents. Babies and young children are especially vulnerable. With timely treatment, most burn injuries heal well.