Management of fractures in adolescents.

There are well-established treatment standards for adults who sustain fractures; however, these treatment standards are not always applicable when treating adolescents with similar fractures because of the presence of physes. Fractures in adolescents are treated by pediatric orthopaedic surgeons, adult orthopaedic traumatologists, or general orthopaedic surgeons. It is imperative that the principles of fracture management are well defined and discussed in both the pediatric and adult orthopaedic community. Controversial topics include the youngest age at which an adolescent can be treated as an adult and acceptable fracture reduction criteria. The general principles of managing fractures in adolescents regarding classification, treatment options, complications, and estimating skeletal age should be understood by the treating physician.