Frequent location and severity of sports-related fractures in children in a tertiary care-center. A retrospective observational cohort study.

INTRODUCTION

Despite benefits in children, sport practice has been reported with higher risk of fractures. Our objective was to report the characteristics of sport-related fractures in children and to compare them to fractures sustained in a domestic context. Our hypothesis was that sports-related fractures more frequently required surgical treatment, and could therefore be considered more severe

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including patients under 16 years old, diagnosed with a fracture at the emergency department, excluding skull and face fractures. Demographic data, context of injury and fracture location were collected. Contexts were divided into five categories: domestic, sport-related, motor vehicle accident, school-based, other. In addition, treatment modality was collected and categorized as simple (cast immobilization), reduction and surgery (osteosynthesis).

RESULTS

A total of 4761 patients were included (mean age 8.9 years ± 4.3). There were 3326 patients in the domestic fractures group (mean age 7.8 years +/- 4.3) and 1435 patients in the sport-related fractures group (mean age 11.4 years +/- 3.0 (p < 0.001)). Surgical treatment was more frequent in sport-related fractures (13% vs 8%, p < 0.001). Horse-riding was the sport leading the most frequently to surgical treatment (47%). When taking domestic fractures as reference, we found that surgical treatment was significantly more frequent in most of sport-related fractures. The most at-risk sports were horse-riding (OR = 14.5, p < 0.001) and athletics (OR = 5.7, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Even though physical activity must be promoted in children regarding their beneficial effects, sport-related fractures require more often a surgical treatment. Horse-riding is particularly at-risk, and children and families must be properly informed on risks, security measures and protection equipment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.