Little Fingers, Big Problems: Tips From Our Fracture Clinic

Little Fingers, Big Problems: Tips From Our Fracture Clinic

by | Jul 18, 2016 | Fractures

Did you know that some of the more common injuries we see in young children occur inside the home from normal everyday objects like doors, cabinets and drawers? Young children don’t recognize the dangers associated with these and love to play with them. Since children have naturally slow reactions, fingers or toes often get caught when they slam closed.

We call these crush injuries, and they can range from minor to severe. Gerad Montgomery, Lead Clinical Provider for our Fracture Clinic, says, “Many people don’t realize that crush injuries of the fingers and toes can result in cuts in the skin, nail bed injuries, broken bones and, in severe cases, partial amputation.”

Prompt evaluation by a pediatric specialist is important if any of the following signs are present:

  • Swelling or deformity
  • Skin that is split open around the nail
  • Bleeding from around or under the nail
  • Persistent pain or inability to move
  • Concern for a serious injury or the feeling that your young child just needs to be seen

Accidents happen and we can’t protect our young and curious children from everything, but we have some suggestions to help avoid injuries:

  • Teach young children early that doors and cabinets are not toys.
  • Child-proof cabinet doors and drawers with latches.
  • Be aware of doors and drawers in your child’s environment.

Bumps and bruises are a normal part of kids being kids! However, if your child has a crush injury or breaks a bone, you may call our Fracture Clinic directly at 469-515-7200. Learn more about our Fracture Clinic.

Scottish Rite Hospital Is at the Center of Innovation

Scottish Rite Hospital Is at the Center of Innovation

by | May 25, 2016 | Research & Innovation

At Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, our mission is to discover new and innovative ways to best care for children affected with orthopedic and certain related neurological conditions. We opened our doors in 1921, and since then, our doctors and researchers have been seeking ways to provide the best quality care for our patients.

Our Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay Center for Musculoskeletal Research consists of six Centers for Excellence. You may be wondering….What exactly is a Center for Excellence? The main objective of these centers is to support our holistic approach to treatment by bringing clinicians, researchers and other health care professionals together to collaborate on relevant research for challenging pediatric disorders.

Our Centers for Excellence:

  • Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay/Martha and Pat Beard Center for Excellence in Spine Research
  • Center for Excellence in Limb Lengthening & Reconstruction
  • Charles E. Seay, Jr. Hand Center
  • Center for Excellence in Clubfoot Research
  • Center for Excellence in Hip Disorders
  • Center for Excellence in Sports Medicine

Over the course of the rest of this year, we will unveil videos and information highlighting each of these six Centers for Excellence. Here you will find an overview video.

We hope your enjoy and stay tuned for more updates!

Just Say “NO” to Trampolines – Safety Tips From Our Fracture Clinic

Just Say “NO” to Trampolines – Safety Tips From Our Fracture Clinic

by | May 9, 2016 | Fractures

Many researchers have pondered whether a trampoline of any kind, with any safety features, can be considered safe. Scottish Rite Hospital pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Christine Ho, M.D., has participated in research looking at injuries from trampoline use. For her family, the answer is clear. No trampoline is safe enough.

She warns parents not to be misled by advertisements and accessories promising to offer a safe experience for your young children. “We see too many injuries in our fracture and hand clinics from trampolines, even the ones that have all the safety features from pads to nets,” Dr. Ho says. Since most injuries occur on the surface of the trampoline, nets and pads do not provide added protection.

We typically see broken bones, but trampolines can cause life-changing spine injuries, among other non-orthopedic injuries. For these reasons and more, Dr. Ho, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommend against the use of trampolines in homes and for unsupervised recreational activities. Unfortunately, they know many are still used, and they encourage parents to learn ways to minimize the risk of injury.

Be aware of the following things that increase the risk of trampoline injuries in kids:

  • Unsupervised jumping
  • More than one jumper at a time
  • Jumping before the age of six
  • Poorly maintained or broken trampoline equipment

We know protecting your child is your number one priority, but we also know accidents happen. We want you to know that we will continue to share our thoughts on keeping your child safe, but more importantly, we’re here when you need us.

Bumps and bruises are sometimes a normal part of kids being kids! However, if your child breaks a bone, you may call our Fracture Clinic directly at 469-515-7200. 

Does Your Child Complain of Heel Pain During or After Activity? – Sports Medicine

Does Your Child Complain of Heel Pain During or After Activity? – Sports Medicine

by | May 4, 2016 | Sports Medicine

Growth plates in children’s bones are at risk of injuries because they are relatively weak and, in many cases, have ligaments or tendons attached nearby. Though some growth plates make bones grow longer, others give the bones unique shapes allowing them to do their jobs.

In the heel, the big tendon from the calf muscle, called the Achilles tendon, attaches to the back of the heel onto the calcaneus bone. In very young children, the bone is not yet grown, so the tendon is actually held onto the foot by the cartilage in the growth plate. Eventually, the bone grows, the growth plate closes, and there is a solid connection for the tendon.

Many children naturally become more involved in sports around 8-12 years old. When a young athlete runs or jumps, the Achilles tendon pulls repeatedly on the cartilage in the heel, causing it to become sore. For patients like Amelia, this can be painful. The impact on the ground with running and jumping can also cause this area to be irritated. Pain and inflammation in the growth plate of the heel is known as Sever’s Disease or calcaneal apophysitis. Symptoms may come and go for 1-2 years while a young athlete is growing quickly in the heel bone.

Shane M. Miller, M.D., tells us that it is safe to play sports as long as the athlete is not limping or complaining of significant pain, and that symptoms should improve with rest and ice, which allows these tissues to recover from the injury. Changing shoes or adding cushioned heel cups may be recommended. Other treatments are available and should be considered on an individual basis.

Here are some situations that increase a child’s risk of Sever’s Disease:

  • Year-round sports participation
  • Sudden increase in training intensity
  • Tournaments and summer camps
  • Running and jumping excessively
  • Sports that involve wearing cleats (such as baseball or soccer)
  • Going barefoot, or participating in barefoot sports (such as gymnastics)

Learn more about overuse injuries and pediatric sports medicine.

Exploring Innovations in Imaging

Exploring Innovations in Imaging

by | Apr 29, 2016 | Research & Innovation

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is only the fourth hospital in Texas to employ an advanced imaging technology called EOS®, to be used in specific patient cases. The system produces long length images of the spine and lower extremities with significantly less radiation than is normally required using other imaging tools. There is also the additional capability of creating 3D images of the bony skeleton that can provide our surgeons a more complete review of a patient’s anatomy for treatment planning.

EOS has the unique ability to simultaneously generate two views of the entire spine or lower extremities in approximately 10 to 15 seconds. Today, the most common alternative method of digital X-ray requires at least 30 minutes. This added efficiency provides a better experience to patients and their families.

The system captures weight-bearing 3D images in the upright or squatting positions that are 1:1, meaning there are no areas of the scan that are distorted or magnified. By using these images, Scottish Rite Hospital surgeons can more accurately understand the unique aspects of a patient’s skeletal deformity and better prepare for surgery.
In addition, unique EOS software created specifically for pediatric patients, called MicroDose, exposes the patient to six to eight times less radiation than traditional X-ray equipment.

EOS imaging is based in Paris, with a U.S. subsidiary in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The hospital’s radiology team is working closely with medical physicists to examine and maximize the potential capabilities and efficiencies of this groundbreaking technology.

**This article was featured in the 2016 Volume 1 Rite Up Magazine. View the magazine online.