Foot and ankle injuries are among the most common reasons for a medical presentation in pediatric and adolescent athletes. Acute trauma and overuse can result in injuries to the developing skeleton that are different from those seen in adults. Knowledge of normal foot and ankle development is critical to understanding age-specific injury patterns.
Elbow injuries in young athletes are becoming an increasing concern for orthopedic sports medicine specialists, but imaging is frequently complicated. The purpose of this study was to assess MRI in imaging ligaments, plicae, and cartilage in 65 pediatric and adolescent patients. 9 MRIs (13%) did not allow assessment because of poor quality.
Ligamentous structures are more robust than bone. Therefore, avulsion fractures are more common in children. This principle is seen in bony avulsion fractures of the anterior cruciate ligament in children. Diagnostics include conventional radiographs as well as an MRI to evaluate further intra-articular injuries.
During puberty, when growth accelerates, physis are weak and at risk for slippage. The slipped capital femoral epiphysis is often misdiagnosed. It should be considered even if the patient’s symptoms are not typical. The diagnosis can usually be made on conventional x-rays in two planes.
Overuse injuries are undoubtedly one of the most frequent cause of pain in adolescent athletes which can result in limitation in sport activities and competition, prolonged pain and psychological consequences. We see different forms of this condition regarding the anatomical region at insertion sites of major tendons.
Pediatric and adolescent athletes have a high risk for elbow problems. In most cases these problems are due to overuse and can heal if diagnosed in time and treated with avoiding further overload. Traumatic elbow problems are less frequent and because of their often subtle symptoms they are at risk of underdiagnosis.
The shoulder is a particularly vulnerable joint in sports, and especially so in children and adolescents. The normal hypermobility during growth needs to be differentiated from pathological instability. Overuse injury has to be avoided or treated. Some injuries are specific for childhood and adolescence and need to be treated with a specific and age appropriate approach.
«Kinder sind keine kleinen Erwachsenen.» Dieser Ausdruck geistert durch viele medizinische Diskussionen. Doch was sind denn Kinder nun? Wo liegt der Unterschied zu den «Grossen», den Erwachsenen – oder sind dies nur lasche Sprüche ohne Basis?
