title: Scaphoid fractures in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scaphoid fractures are rare in childhood. Diagnosis is very difficult to establish because carpal bones are not fully ossified. In suspected cases comparative or delayed radiography is used, as well as computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and bone scintigraphy. Majority of scaphoid fractures are treated conservatively with good results. In case of delayed fracture healing various types of treatment are available.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the mechanism of injury, clinical healing process, types and outcome of treatment of scaphoid fractures in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed patients with traumatic closed fracture of the scaphoid bone over a ten-year period (2002-2011).The outcome of the treatment of"acute"scaphoid fracture was evaluated using the Mayo Wrist Score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were in total 34 patients, of mean age 13.8 years, with traumatic closed fracture of the scaphoid bone, whose bone growth was not finished yet. Most common injury mechanism was fall on outstretched arm--76% of patients. During the examined period 31 children with "acute" fracture underwent conservative treatment, with average immobilization period of 51 days. Six patients were lost to follow-up. In the remaining 25 patients, after completed rehabilitation, functional results determined by the Mayo Wrist Score were excellent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conservative therapy of "acute" scaphoid fractures is an acceptable treatment option for pediatric patients with excellent functional results.
authors.forename: Djordje
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gajdobranski
authors.forename: Dragoljub
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zivanović
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mikov
authors.forename: Andjelka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slavković
authors.forename: Dusan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marić
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Marjanović
authors.forename: Vukadin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Milankov
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome