Distal radius fractures in children aged 5–12 years: a Swedish nationwide register-based study of 25 777 patients

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fracture (DRF) is the most common type of fracture in children. There is no clear consensus on primary treatment for complete DRFs. Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation has been recommended, to avoid the risk of redislocation. However, recent studies have indicated that casting can be sufficient, at least for children with two or more years left to grow. There is no recent study regarding pediatric DRFs and the extent of K-wire fixations in the Swedish population. The purpose of this study was to investigate epidemiology and treatment of pediatric DRFs registered in the Swedish Fracture Register (SFR). METHODS: In this retrospective study, based on data from SFR for children aged 5–12 years with DRF between January 2015 and October 2022, we investigated epidemiology and choice of treatment. Sex, age, type of DRF, treatment, cause and mechanism of injury, were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 25,777 patients were included, 7,173 (27%) with complete fractures. Number and peak age of girls vs. boys with fractures were 11,742 (46%), 10 years, and 14,035 (54%), 12 years, respectively. Odds ratio (OR) for a K-wire fixation in girls vs. boys was 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74–0.89, p < .001). With age 5 -7 years as reference, OR for age group 8–10 years was 0.88 (95% CI 0.80–0.98 p = .019) and OR for age group 11–12 years was 0.81 (95% CI 0.73–0.91 p = < .001. CONCLUSION: Casting only was the preferred treatment for all fractures (76%). Boys acquired DRFs more often than girls, with a peak age of 12 years. Younger children and boys with a complete fracture were more likely than older children and girls to receive a K-wire. Further research regarding indications for K-wiring of DRFs in the pediatric population is needed.