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. 2022 Apr;16(2):83-87.
doi: 10.1177/18632521221090135. Epub 2022 Apr 30.

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions unmasks dangers of frequent injury mechanisms for common surgically treated pediatric fractures

Bryn R Gornick  1   2 , Mashgan Mostamand  3 , Evelyn S Thomas  1 , Matthew Weber  4 , John A Schlechter  1   2   4
Affiliations

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions unmasks dangers of frequent injury mechanisms for common surgically treated pediatric fractures

Bryn R Gornick et al. J Child Orthop. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the volume and characteristics of common surgically treated fractures in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The worldwide spread of COVID-19 affected the society in numerous ways. Social distancing led to changes in the types of activities performed by individuals, including children. Physicians saw a shift in orthopedic trauma volume and distribution. We predicted that with the change in activities children participated in, the number or type of injuries sustained would change as well.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of children who sustained a surgically treated fracture of the forearm, supracondylar humerus, femur, or any open fracture during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous 2 years (pre-pandemic). Patient demographics, insurance status, and mechanism of injury were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed.

Results: Review of the medical records identified 791 children. The number of fractures decreased from an average of 295 per year pre-pandemic to 201 during the pandemic (p = 0.09). During the pandemic, there was a decrease in injuries resulting from a fall from the monkey bars for supracondylar humerus (21.2% to 8.2%, p < 0.01) and for forearm fractures (15.5% to 4.3%, p = 0.04). In contrast, the frequencies of falls from a skateboard, hoverboard, scooter, or bicycle and falls from household furniture increased during the pandemic.

Conclusion: The observed decrease in monkey bar-related injuries provides further evidence as to the dangers of this piece of playground equipment in contributing to upper-extremity fractures in children.

Level of evidence: Level III: Prognostic and Epidemiological.

Keywords: COVID-19; fractures; monkey bars; pediatrics; supracondylar humerus fractures.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: the Principal Investigator of this study is a speaker for Arthrex Inc. All other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

References

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