title: Fractures of the hallux in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Foot fractures account for 5% to 13% of pediatric fractures. Fractures of the hallux require special attention due to its role in weight bearing, balance, and pedal motion. In this study, a large series of children with hallux fractures is presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  All children treated with fractures of the hallux between June 2004 and December 2011 were included. The medical records were analyzed and X-rays were reviewed. The fractures were classified according to their anatomic location and the type of fracture. Three hundred seventeen patients (mean age = 11.7 years; range, 1-18 years; 65% male) sustained a fracture of the hallux.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most accidents (28%) occurred at sports facilities, and soccer was the most common cause of a fracture of the hallux (28%). Closed injuries were diagnosed in 92% of the patients; 8% of the children presented with open fractures. In 144 children, the growth plate was affected. Fifty-nine patients presented with diaphyseal fractures, 42 patients with osseous avulsions, and 40 patients with fractures of the distal part of the phalanx. Nineteen children had incomplete and 13 patients comminuted fractures. The vast majority of the children (86%) were treated conservatively. Operative interventions were required in 14% of the patients. Good outcome was achieved in both conservatively and operatively treated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In children, fractures of the hallux were most often caused by ball sports and had a good prognosis. The vast majority of these fractures could be treated conservatively yielding good outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, case series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria thomas.petnehazy@klinikum-graz.at.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Petnehazy
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schalamon
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eberl
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Till
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery*; D006214:Hallux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology; D011859:Radiography; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries
keywords: children; fractures; hallux