Tarso-metatarsal joint injuries in children

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Foot and ankle trauma

Background:

• Tarso-metatarsal joint injuries are uncommon in children but share similarities with adult injuries.
• Understanding pediatric foot and ankle trauma is crucial for appropriate management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the characteristics and management of tarso-metatarsal joint injuries in pediatric patients.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical intervention for these injuries.

Main Methods:

• Review of pediatric cases with tarso-metatarsal joint injuries.
• Surgical reduction for displaced injuries.
• Percutaneous pin fixation for unstable reductions.

Main Results:

• Mechanisms and injury patterns are similar to adults.
• Surgical reduction is indicated for displaced injuries.
• Percutaneous pin fixation provides stability for unstable reductions.
• Short-term results are generally favorable despite complex joint disruption.

Conclusions:

• Tarso-metatarsal joint injuries in children require surgical intervention when displaced.
• Percutaneous pin fixation is a suitable method for stabilizing unstable reductions.
• Long-term follow-up is necessary to fully assess the outcomes of these injuries.