The heterogeneous management of pediatric ankle traumas: A retrospective descriptive study

Risk Factors for Ankle Fractures in Asian Adolescents Seen in a Pediatric Emergency Department

OBJECTIVES

Pediatric ankle injuries remain one of the most common presenting complaints to the pediatric emergency department (PED). In this study, we aimed to describe risk factors associated with simple ankle fractures and ankle fractures that require surgery, among adolescents presenting to the PED with ankle injuries.

METHODS

We analyzed a retrospective cohort study of adolescents 12 to 16 years old who presented to our PED with an acute ankle injury and received an ankle radiograph from November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017. Demographic, anthropometric variables, physical examination findings including those of the Ottawa Ankle Rules were obtained. We recorded any surgical interventions required, as well as follow-up and to return to physical activity.

RESULTS

Five hundred fifty-six cases of adolescent ankle injuries were reviewed, of which 109 adolescents had ankle fractures, whereas 19 had ankle fractures requiring surgery. Sports-related injuries remained the most common cause of ankle fractures. Age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.83; P < 0.001), male sex (aOR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.34-3.35; P < 0.001), clinical findings of tenderness over the lateral malleolus (aOR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.74-5.64; P < 0.001) or medial malleolus (aOR, 3.55; 95% CI, 2.18-5.78; P < 0.001), and inability to walk (aOR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.95-4.91; P < 0.001) were significant independent risk factors for ankle fractures.Patients with a weight more than 90th centile for age were at greater risk of ankle fractures requiring surgery (aOR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.05-6.64; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that younger age, male sex, and clinical findings in the Ottawa Ankle Rules correlated well with predicting ankle fractures and are well suited for application in the Southeast Asian population. Weight greater than the 90th percentile for age was a significant risk factor for ankle fractures requiring surgery.

Treatment Variability and Complications Associated With Pediatric Lateral Ankle Injuries: A POSNA Quality, Safety, and Value Initiative Survey

Background

Isolated pediatric lateral ankle injuries, including ankle sprain (AS) and nondisplaced Salter-Harris type 1 (SH-1) distal fibular fracture, are common orthopaedic sports-related injuries. Variability in treatment is suspected among pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. Complications from medical treatment or lack thereof have not been reported in this population.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate treatment variability and associated complications after pediatric AS and SH-1 via a survey of members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American (POSNA).

Study Design

Cross-sectional study. Level of evidence, 5.

Methods

A voluntary, anonymous survey was distributed to POSNA membership (approximately 1400 members) via email. Survey questions, specific to both grade 1 or 2 AS and nondisplaced or minimally displaced SH-1 injuries in skeletally immature patients, focused on initial evaluation, immobilization, return to sports, and complications. We analyzed variability both in treatment between AS and SH-1 injury and in respondent characteristics. For statistical analysis, chi-square or Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables, and analysis of variance was used for continuous variables.

Results

The survey response rate was 16.4% (229/1400). Of the respondents, 27.7% used examination only to distinguish between AS and SH-1, whereas 18.7% performed serial radiography to aid with diagnosis. A controlled ankle motion boot or walking boot was the most common immobilization technique for both AS (46.3%) and SH-1 (55.6%); the second most common technique was bracing in AS (33.5%) and casting in SH-1 (34.7%). Approximately one-third of all respondents recommended either outpatient or home physical therapy for AS, whereas only 11.4% recommended physical therapy for SH-1 (P < .01). Results showed that 81.2% of respondents reported no complications for SH-1 treatment and 87.8% reported no complications for AS treatment. Cast complications were reported by 9.6% for SH-1 and 5.2% for AS. Rare SH-1 complications included distal fibular growth arrest, infection, nonunion, late fracture displacement, and recurrent fracture.

Conclusion

Significant variability was found in primary treatment of pediatric AS and SH-1 injuries. Rare complications from injury, treatment, and neglected treatment after SH-1 and AS were reported.

Is lateral ankle sprain of the child and adolescent a myth or a reality? A systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Ankle trauma in children and adolescents is the most common orthopedic injury encountered in pediatric trauma. It has long been recognized that a lateral ankle injury in this population is often a Salter and Harris type I fracture of the distal fibula (SH1). The purpose of this study is to confirm the existence of a lateral ankle sprain and to report the incidence of each pathology of the lateral ankle compartment: SH1 fracture, ATFL injury, and osteochondral avulsions.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature is done using the database provided by PubMed and Embase. All articles reporting the incidence of imaging modality-confirmed lateral ankle injury (SH1, ATFL injury, osteochondral avulsion) in children and adolescents were included. Exclusion criteria were the following: case reports or articles with less than ten subjects, unspecified imaging modality and articles unrelated to lateral ankle lesions. Thus, 237 titles and abstracts were selected, 25 were analyzed thoroughly, and 11 articles were included for final analysis.

RESULTS

SH1 fractures were found in 0-57.5% of the cases in all series and 0-3% in the most recent series. A diagnosis of an ATFL injury was found in 3.2-80% and an osteochondral avulsion of the distal fibula in 6-28.1%. The most recent series report 76-80% and 62% for ATFL injury and osteochondral avulsion respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a non-negligible incidence of ATFL sprains and fibular tip avulsions in patients with a suspected SH1 fracture of the distal fibula. According to recent evidence and MRI examinations, the most common injuries of the pediatric ankle are ATFL sprain and osteochondral avulsions. This should be taken into consideration in daily practice when ordering radiological examination and deciding on treatment modalities.

Are you sure that ankle is just sprained? A review of common ankle conditions, diagnoses and treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute ankle sprains frequently occur in active children and adolescents but may be the initial clinical presentation of other less common disorders affecting the lower extremities. There are many conditions that may cause one or multiple episodes of ankle injury that are misdiagnosed as an acute ankle sprain. This manuscript highlights diagnoses that should be considered when evaluating and managing a child or adolescent who presents initially and/or repeatedly with an acute ankle sprain.

RECENT FINDINGS

In recent years, various studies have continued to note the prevalence of misdiagnosed ankle sprains, especially amongst the paediatric population. If ankle radiographs demonstrate no abnormalities during an initial clinical examination, often the patient is diagnosed with an acute ankle sprain. However, this can be a misdiagnosis, especially when the patient has had recurrent episodes of ankle injury and ancillary studies are not performed.

SUMMARY

There are many diagnoses that can go unnoticed in the initial evaluation of a paediatric or adolescent ankle sprain. It is important for physicians to be aware of these other conditions to ensure proper treatment plans. This manuscript will analyse five conditions that may be misdiagnosed as an ankle sprain, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, osteochondritis dissecans of the talus, hereditary sensory motor neuropathy (Charcot-Marie Tooth disease), tarsal coalition and transitional ankle fractures.

The new ultralow dose CT protocol for the diagnosis of fractures of the ankle: A prospective comparative study with conventional CT

PURPOSE

Computerized tomography (CT) imaging is increasingly being used to evaluate patients with ankle trauma. However, conventional CT (C CT) has a significantly higher radiation dose (RD) than plain radiography. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT) protocol for ankle fractures.

METHODS

Ninety-eight consecutive patients who had ankle CT for suspected ankle fracture were included in our prospective study. C CT and ULDCT protocols were simultaneously performed on these 98 patients. Two observers independently evaluated ULDCT and C CT images. The effective RD of the ULDCT and C CT groups was calculated.

RESULTS

The interobserver agreement was 1 (perfect). ULDCT and C CT group images showed no significant difference in image quality. The effective RD of the ULDCT was significantly lower than the C CT (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

By evaluating the results of this study, ULDCT proved to be a reliable diagnostic imaging method for fractures of the ankle. The satisfactory diagnostic image quality of the ULDCT protocol provides promising results.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II/lesser quality RCT or prospective comparative study.

Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprains Revision 2021

This revised clinical practice guideline (CPG) addresses the distinct but related lower extremity impairments of those with a first-time lateral ankle sprain (LAS) and those with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Depending on many factors, impairments may continue following injury. While most individuals experience resolution of symptoms, complaints of instability may continue and are defined as CAI. The aims of the revision were to provide a concise summary of the contemporary evidence since publication of the original guideline and to develop new recommendations or revise previously published recommendations to support evidence-based practice. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(4):CPG1-CPG80. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0302.