Principles of Pediatric Fracture Treatment

Fractures represent 25% of pediatric trauma, and 1/3 of these involved the physis. These fractures are classified by the Salter-Harris classification system. Treatment is usually nonoperative with closed reduction if necessary followed by immobilization. The growing bone has the capacity to remodel, i.e., correction of the deformity with return to normal anatomy. The status of the soft tissue envelope is essential in the assessment and treatment of pediatric fractures.