Carpal fractures in children.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Musculoskeletal Radiology

Background:

• Carpal injuries in children are infrequent and may be overlooked or underestimated.
• Scaphoid and capitate fractures are the most common carpal bone injuries in pediatric patients.
• Other carpal bone fractures are rare, with limited case reports available.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common carpal injuries in children.
• To outline treatment strategies for pediatric carpal injuries.
• To highlight the importance of vigilance in diagnosing wrist injuries in children, even with normal initial radiographs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pediatric carpal injuries.
• Synthesis of common injury patterns and their management.
• Emphasis on clinical suspicion for diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Scaphoid fractures are the most frequent carpal injury in children.
• Capitate fractures are the second most common, often associated with other carpal injuries.
• Most pediatric carpal fractures heal well with appropriate treatment.

Conclusions:

• A high index of suspicion is crucial for diagnosing carpal injuries in children.
• Prompt and accurate diagnosis facilitates effective treatment and good outcomes.
• This review provides a guide for managing common pediatric carpal fractures.