Non-union of the great toe in a 4-year-old child

Abstract

Phalangeal fractures of the foot are very rare in children. They are treated with closed reduction and splinting. Cases reported of non-union in children are rare. We report on treatment of a 4-year-old child with non-union of the proximal phalanx of the great toe foot following an open fracture caused by a motor vehicle accident 4 months prior. No graft was used. We present this case with good clinical outcome at 1 year follow-up.

Facial Plates in Phalanx Fracture-Non-Union of Great Toe – A Case Report

“…Our study was comparable with that of Göksel et al [ 7 ] where 4-year-old child presented with a great toe that had not yet united for which curettage of the fracture ends and two cross-pin fixations were carried out. Despite being usual for the treatment of non-union, the use of grafts was avoided since the fracture site had good blood flow, there was little bone loss, the patient was still young, and donor site morbidity was considered.…”

Pseudoarthrosis of second metatarsal fracture

“…13 Due to thick periosteum rich in osteoblasts, good vascularization and considerable remodelling capacity, children and young adults form new bone rapidly and the majority of their fractures unites and heals correctly. 11,14 The risk of non-union in children under the age of 15 is approximately 0.2%. This risk was greater in the lower limb than in the upper limb fractures throughout childhood until this age and, in general, increased steadily with age.…”