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Understanding Sports-Related Pediatric Hand Trauma
Erin Anstadt MD, Brodie Parent MD, Chelsey Johnson MD, Jennifer Clayton-Fantuzzo, Alexander Davit MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2019-02-15
Presenter: Erin Anstadt
Affidavit:
This project is the original work of the resident.
Director Name: Vu Nguyen, MD
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Hand
INTRODUCTION
Many American children participate in youth sports. Hand injuries are a known risk in youth sports, yet little is known about the injury and surgical management patterns. This study aims to analyze pediatric hand injuries associated with sports to identify risk factors and understand management patterns.
METHODS
This is a retrospective cohort study of 850 patients age 18 years and younger evaluated in the emergency room of a pediatric hospital for hand injuries from 2010 to 2018. Patient demographics, injury and treatment details were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Poisson regression models. Main outcomes measured were injury type, location, mechanism and treatment.
RESULTS
Out of 850 patients studied, 299 experienced a sports-related injury (35%). Sixty-two percent of injuries occurred in full-contact sports settings. Football and basketball were the most common sports associated with injury. Sports-related injuries had a higher frequency of phalangeal fractures compared to other mechanisms, and the small finger and thumb were affected most often. Sports-related hand fractures were less likely to be comminuted (RR 0.3, CI 0.15-0.59, p <0.001) and open (RR 0.21, CI 0.12-0.38, p <0.001). Sports-related injuries were not more likely to require operative intervention (R 0.79, CI 0.56-1.12, p<0.19).
CONCLUSION
Youth participation in sports is an important source of pediatric hand injuries. Full-contact sports yield more injuries than individual sports. Sports-related injuries have relatively more minor injury patterns and did not require surgery more often than other mechanisms. Many injuries are managed in the emergency room setting.
