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In summer, the greatest number of sports injuries, i.e. those related to recreation, occur. The more, the more popular the discipline is. For example, for several years, springboard jumping has become a very popular attraction among children. The kids go crazy, but sometimes serious accidents can happen. What are injuries and how to avoid them? A sports orthopedist shows two simple rules.
- The most common injury that occurs on the trampoline are injuries of the limbs, but not only
- Usually, fracture stabilization in children is shorter than in adults, and takes an average of four weeks
- We are starting to distinguish more characteristic fractures and injuries after accidents on trampolines — admits Krzesimir Sieczych, an orthopedist from the Carolina Medical Center
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Trampoline jumping, yes, but …
Doctor Krzesimir Sieczych, an orthopedist from the Carolina Medical Center, noted that in the last few years, many children have been injured by springboards. They could be avoided if caregivers paid more attention to the safety of their children during play.
The specialist first of all warns against jumping on the equipment unsecured with a special net. Kids should also do it alone to minimize the risk of injury. What are the most common injuries? These are injuries to the arms and legs, in every possible part of them. Some require surgery.
– We are starting to distinguish more characteristic fractures and injuries after accidents on trampolines, e.g. fractures with displacement that require setting or surgical treatment – the orthopedist enumerated.
Children develop typical fractures called exfoliation. These are fractures in the area of growth cartilages, which also require special orthopedic attention during treatment, so that no deformation occurs as a result of the injury.
But it can also injure the head, neck or spine. This happens when the child falls off the springboard or is pinned down by another child.
Surgical treatment of fractures in children is somewhat different
As noted by the orthopedist, in adults, in complicated fractures, titanium plates and screws are used, and in children, metal wires are inserted through the skin. These are the so-called Kirschner wires.
– Flexible intramedullary rods can be used to stabilize fractures. It is a slightly less invasive method than the plate and screws fixation, because the wires are inserted into the bone through small cuts in the skin, there is no need for additional plaster application. In the case of stabilization of the fracture with Kirchner wires, a plaster is additionally applied – said Dr. Sieczych.
How long do children’s bones heal?
The doctor also pointed out that in children, bones grow faster than in adults.
– On average, immobilization after a fracture lasts four to six weeks, in children it is usually closer to this limit of four weeks. There are also fractures in which the child wears the cast for even less time. In adults, the cast is put on for an average of six weeks, although there are also such fractures, e.g. of the scaphoid bone, which sometimes require immobilization for three months – said the expert.
– Fortunately, after putting on the plaster, you do not have to completely abandon your vacation, many clinics offer light and waterproof casts, in which you can, for example, swim – added Dr. Sieczych.
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