TITLE:
Severe Musculoskeletal Injuries in Children during Play
AUTHORS:
Soumahoro Ibrahim, Akobé Achié Jean Régis, Krah Koffi Léopold, Kouassi Kouamé Jean-Eric, Bénié Adoubs Célestin, Kouassi Aya Adelaïde Natacha, Ochou Jr Pierre Germain, Digbeu Ogou Kevin Elie, Traoré Ibrahim, Traoré Abdoul Massandjé Norah, Soro Zolopégué Marcel, Blé Gbalé Yannick, Akpro Sédy Louess De Randolphe, Kodo Michel
KEYWORDS:
Children, Fractures, Musculoskeletal Trauma, Orthopaedic Treatment
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.12 No.11,
November
3,
2022
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Musculoskeletal injuries are common in children but rarely severe. Their treatment varies according to the type of injury observed. The aim was to describe the epidemiological and therapeutic aspects of severe musculoskeletal injuries in children during play. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted in the Orthopaedic-Traumatology Department and the Paediatric Surgery Unit of the University Hospital of Bouaké between January 2018 and December 2020. It concerned patients less than 16 years of age hospitalised for more than 24 hours for a musculoskeletal trauma following a gambling accident. The variables studied were epidemiological and therapeutic. Results: A total of 53 patients were collected. The frequency was 2.9%. The mean age was 9 ± 3.99 years. There were 38 (71.7%) boys and 15 (28.3%) girls. The sex ratio was 2.5. The patients were attending school in 79.3% (n = 42). The circumstances of occurrence were dominated by falls during play accidents (n = 35; 66%). Football was observed in 93.5% (n = 49). The thoracic limb (n = 35; 66%) was the preferred site of these injuries. The injuries were closed (86.7%) with a predominance of forearm fractures (n = 22; 41.6%). The average hospital stay was 2.8 ± 1.4 days. Most of the patients were treated orthopedically (n = 37; 69.9%). The evolution was favourable without complications. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal injuries during play were infrequent (2.9%). The circumstances were dominated by falls during play. The injuries were mainly closed fractures, most of which were treated orthopedically.