Team Approach: Bone Health in Children and Adolescents

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

* Fractures are common in childhood and adolescence, with an estimated 30% of this population experiencing at least 1 broken bone. The forearm is the most common fracture site. * In the absence of major trauma, fractures of the femur and spine are suggestive of abnormal bone fragility; such cases warrant a comprehensive evaluation and treatment by a team of specialists. * Pharmacological agents to treat pediatric osteoporosis should be considered for patients with fragility fractures, especially when spontaneous recovery is unlikely. * Similarly, overuse injuries of the bone (stress fractures) in children and adolescents are best evaluated and managed by a team that includes orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists, nutritionists, and sports-medicine experts. * Management of stress fractures includes optimizing nutrition, rest until fractures heal, gradual return to activity, and surgery if nonunion occurs.