Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Pediatric hand injuries: essentials you need to know

  • Pictorial Essay
  • Published:
Emergency Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The hand is a common site of injury in children and adolescents. The most common mechanism of injury in younger children is crush injury resulting from the hand caught in a closing door while most fractures in teenagers result from recreational sports. Accurate diagnosis of hand fractures is a requisite for timely management of these injuries in order to restore normal function and achieve a satisfactory outcome since poorly treated injuries can have significant functional consequences. Metacarpal and phalangeal fractures can be difficult to diagnose at radiography due to their relatively small size leading to potential delays in treatment. Recognition of common fracture locations and patterns is essential in ensuring prompt and appropriate treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27
Fig. 28
Fig. 29
Fig. 30

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mayranpaa MK, Makitie O, Kallio PE (2010) Decreasing incidence and changing patterns of childhood fractures: a population-based study. J Bone Miner Res 25:2752–2759

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ashkenaze DM, Ruby LK (1992) Metacarpal fractures and dislocations. Orthop Clin North Am 23:19–33

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Cornwall R (2006) Finger metacarpal fractures and dislocations in children. Hand Clin 22:1–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Edmonds JO (2006) Traumatic dislocations and instability of the trapezium and trapeziometacarpal joint of the thumb. Hand Clin 22:365–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Carlsen BT, Moran SL (2009) Thumb trauma: Bennett fractures, Rolando fractures and ulnar collateral ligament injuries. J Hand Surg 34A:945–952

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Husband JB, McPherson SA (1996) Bony skier’s thumb injuries. Clin Orthop Relat Res 327:79–84

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Leversedge FJ (2008) Anatomy and pathomechanics of the thumb. Hand Clin 24:219–229

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Baskies MA, Lee SK (2009) Evaluation and treatment of injuries of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb metacarpalphalangeal joint. Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis 67:68–74

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Leclereq C, Korn W (2000) Articular fractures of the fingers in children. Hand Clin 16:523–524

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hernandez JA, Swischuk LE, Yngve DA (2003) The angled buckle fracture in pediatrics: a frequently missed fracture. Emerg Radiol 10:71–75

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Balie DS, Benson LS, Marymont JV (1996) Proximal interphalangeal injuries of the hand. Part I: anatomy and diagnosis. Am J Orthop 25:474–477

    Google Scholar 

  12. Bowers WH, Wolf JW, Nehil JL et al (1980) The proximal interphalangeal joint volar plate. I. An anatomical and biomechanical study. J Hand Surg Am 5:79–88

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Nance EP, Kaye JJ, Milek MA (1979) Volar plate fractures. Radiology 133:61–64

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Imatami J, Hashizume H, Wake H et al (1997) The central slip attachment fracture. J Hand Surg Br 22:107–109

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kang HJ, Sung SY, Ha JW et al (2005) Operative treatment for proximal phalangeal neck fractures in children. Yonsei Med J 46:491–495

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Weichman KE, Wilson SC, Samra F (2013) Treatment and outcomes of fingertip injuries at a large metropolitan public hospital. Plast Reconstr Surg 131:107–112

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Wehbe MA, Schneider LH (1984) Mallet fractures. J Bone Surg Am 66:658–669

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Papadonikolakis A, Li Z, Smith BP et al (2006) Fractures of the phalanges and interphalangeal joints in children. Hand Clin 22:11–18

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Krusche-Mandl I, Kottstorfer J, Thalhammer G et al (2013) Seymour fractures: retrospective analysis and therapeutic considerations. J Hand Surg 38:258–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Lunn PG, Lamb DW (1984) ‘Rugby finger’-avulsion of the profundus of the ring finger. J Hand Surg Br 9:69–71

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University School, 2785 SOM Center Road, Hunting Valley, OH, 44022, USA

    Alexander P. Sivit

  2. Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106-5056, USA

    Elena P. DuPont & Carlos J. Sivit

Authors
  1. Alexander P. Sivit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elena P. DuPont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carlos J. Sivit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carlos J. Sivit.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sivit, A.P., DuPont, E.P. & Sivit, C.J. Pediatric hand injuries: essentials you need to know. Emerg Radiol 21, 197–206 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-013-1158-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-013-1158-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation