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[Sprained ankle in children].
J Rodineau1, V Foltz, P Dupond
1Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
Summary
Sprained ankles are common in children and often underestimated. While surgical repair shows promise for severe injuries, nonoperative treatment is generally preferred by most practitioners.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Ligament Injuries
Background:
- Ankle sprains are a frequent yet potentially underestimated injury in the pediatric population.
- Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation, including palpation of the anterior talo-fibular ligament, and imaging to rule out fractures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a literature review on pediatric ankle sprains.
- To summarize clinical experiences and existing data on treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature search using keywords: sprain, ankle, children, talo-fibular ligament, ligament injury.
- Analysis of three surgical publications (Vahvanen, Chaumien) detailing operative and nonoperative treatments.
Main Results:
- Limited prospective or randomized trials were found.
- Vahvanen's studies indicated nonoperative treatment for 50 ankles and operative for 40, suggesting primary ligament repair can yield stable results.
- Chaumien's series reported successful surgical healing in 16 of 18 patients with severe lesions.
Conclusions:
- Ankle sprains in children are common and likely underdiagnosed.
- Radiographic and ultrasound imaging are crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Nonoperative management is the preferred approach for pediatric ankle sprains among most clinicians.