Abstract:Due to the distinctive anatomic and biomechanical features of the growing paediatric spine, children are susceptible to unique patterns of spinal injuries. Although clinical examination can help guide management, physicians are often required to rely on advanced imaging. Imaging interpretation can be challenging when considering that abnormal parameters among adults, are often within normal physiological limits in children. In general, spinal injuries in children younger than nine years of age are often managed non-operatively, while adolescents are typically managed by adult treatment principles. With the exception of neurologic injuries, most paediatric spinal injuries demonstrate good to excellent prognosis and outcomes.
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Due to the unique properties of the growing spine, including greater elasticity, osseous plasticity, presence of growth centers, relatively strong ligaments, and greater joint mobility, paediatric patients are susceptible to unique fracture patterns and injuries.
There are absolute contraindications regarding return to play decisions.
Children under 13 years of age with vertebral body compression fractures can progressively restore their vertebral height until skeletal maturity.
The vast majority of spine injuries among children under nine years of age, even when relatively unstable, can be managed non-operatively.
Pre-adolescent patients with complete spinal cord injuries are at high risk for developing progressive scoliosis and have not been shown to demonstrate any better neurological outcomes when compared to adults.
The cervical spine is the commonest area of spine injuries with the C1-3 vertebral levels being more commonly seen in children under eight years of age.
A standard immobilization board should not be used for children under eight years of age without an occipital recess or 2-3cm of padding to elevate their body relatively to their head.
Adult radiographic spinal parameters are often unreliable in children and severe neurologic injuries can be sustained in spite of normal imaging results.
Clinical examination is fairly unreliable for identifying spinal column injuries among pre-school patients and it is often necessary to rely on advanced imaging.
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