Arm, Leg Compound Fractures in Children

Each year, millions of children sustain lower extremity and upper extremity fractures from slips and falls. While many fractures are considered simple and do not require extensive treatment, there are some leg and arm fractures that require extensive care and management, especially for children. If your child has suffered a multiple compound fracture, it is important to ask a pediatric orthopedic specialist about the possible implication of a rare injury known as Type IV Monteggia fractures.

Compound multiple fractures to one bone of the lower leg or the arm is known as a Type IV Monteggia fracture and occurs very rarely in children, accounting for less then one percent of all fractures. Because children carry great resilience and elasticity in the bones, these types of compound fractures can be healed far more easily than had they occurred in an adult. Because of the path by which energy diffuses in a traumatic blunt injury of the leg or arm, your child's soft tissue essentially protects the leg or arm from a complete break and, instead, results in multiple compound fractures to that bone.

If your child's CT scan or MRI reveals the presence of a Type IV Monteggia fracture, there are several treatment options the orthopedic surgeon may consider. Because these types of fractures can be treated with both open and closed surgery, many surgeons will opt to repair or stabilize the leg or arm using a closed reduction internal fixation, CRIF, procedure. However, if the surgeon identifies the presence of free-floating fragments of bone, then open reduction internal fixation, ORIF, surgery will be necessary.