Do Y Park1, Kyeong J Han, Seung H Han, Jae H Cho. 1. *Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyounggi-do, Korea; †Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyounggi-do, Korea; ‡Division of Foot and ankle surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyounggi-do, Korea; and §Division of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyounggi-do, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to categorize barefoot stubbing injuries to the great toe in children by injury mechanism to differentiate benign stubbing injuries from more complex injuries necessitating surgery. DESIGN: Prospective clinical series of consecutively treated patients. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital setting. PATIENTS: Forty-one children who had sustained an indirect injury to the great toe during barefoot sports activities between January 2001 and December 2009 were included. INTERVENTION: Conservative or surgical treatment was done according to clinical and radiological findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Information regarding injury mechanism was collected from patients, parents, and coaches using skeletal models and assessed by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Mechanisms of injury were identified and grouped as follows: hyperabduction-flexion, hyperflexion, hyperabduction-extension, hyperextension, and hyperextension-adduction. RESULTS: Hyperabduction-flexion was the most common mechanism (n = 16), in which interphalangeal joint dislocation and skin disruption was noted in most cases. The second most common mechanism was hyperabduction-extension (n = 14) in which avulsion fracture of the lateral volar condyle of the proximal phalanx was noted in most cases. This avulsion fracture had the worst prognosis after conservative care. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we have created a grading system and treatment protocol for indirect hallux sports injuries in children. Avulsion fracture of the lateral condyle of the proximal phalanx, a result of hyperabduction-extension, is a high-risk sign of nonunion and should be aggressively treated, contrary to previous guidelines. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to categorize barefoot stubbing injuries to the great toe in children by injury mechanism to differentiate benign stubbing injuries from more complex injuries necessitating surgery. DESIGN: Prospective clinical series of consecutively treated patients. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital setting. PATIENTS: Forty-one children who had sustained an indirect injury to the great toe during barefoot sports activities between January 2001 and December 2009 were included. INTERVENTION: Conservative or surgical treatment was done according to clinical and radiological findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Information regarding injury mechanism was collected from patients, parents, and coaches using skeletal models and assessed by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Mechanisms of injury were identified and grouped as follows: hyperabduction-flexion, hyperflexion, hyperabduction-extension, hyperextension, and hyperextension-adduction. RESULTS: Hyperabduction-flexion was the most common mechanism (n = 16), in which interphalangeal joint dislocation and skin disruption was noted in most cases. The second most common mechanism was hyperabduction-extension (n = 14) in which avulsion fracture of the lateral volar condyle of the proximal phalanx was noted in most cases. This avulsion fracture had the worst prognosis after conservative care. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we have created a grading system and treatment protocol for indirect hallux sports injuries in children. Avulsion fracture of the lateral condyle of the proximal phalanx, a result of hyperabduction-extension, is a high-risk sign of nonunion and should be aggressively treated, contrary to previous guidelines. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.