Trauma Research at Children's Hospital Colorado

Trauma Research for Children and Adults

Research in the Trauma Program focuses on the management of complex orthopedic conditions resulting from traumatic accidents in children and adolescents. Specific areas of interest include the treatment of fractures, limb deformities, musculoskeletal infections, and physical (growth plate) injuries. The Trauma Program is currently involved in two large, multicenter studies investigating pediatric femur fracture treatment and adolescent proximal humerus fracture treatment.  Dr. Sanders will host the Children’s Orthopaedic Trauma and Infection Consortium for Evidence-Based Study (CORTICES) Group at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, CO on September 27-28, 2019.

The following institutions comprise the CORTICES: Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Texas Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Rady Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Carolinas Healthcare System/Levine Children’s Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Recent Publications

Clinical Utility of Repeat Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies Among Children With Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis.

This study aimed to determine whether repeat MRIs changed management among children with AHO and identify clinical characteristics predictive of which patients benefit from repeat MRIs. 53.7% of included subjects received repeat MRIs that impacted clinical care; these subjects had longer hospitalizations (7 vs. 5 d, P <0.01), were more likely to have C-reactive protein (CRP) levels >20 mg/dL (41% vs. 10%, P <0.01), and were more likely to have a delayed transition to oral antimicrobials (8.4 vs. 3.3 d, P <0.01). When used judiciously among ill children with complicated AHO, repeat MRIs can be clinically impactful. View full study

Pediatric Multidrug-Resistant Disseminated Tuberculosis Presenting as Small Finger Tuberculous Osteomyelitis: A Case Report

We report a case in the United States of a 12-year-old girl with multidrug-resistant tuberculous (MDR-TB) osteomyelitis of the hand managed with surgical debridement and second-line anti-TB therapy. The disease course was complicated by dissemination and multifocal progression. Despite early intervention, multidrug resistance makes TB treatment challenging and facilitates progression to disseminated disease in this case. We review the difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric MDR-TB. View full study

Risk Factors for Stiffness After Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Humeral Lateral Condyle Fractures: Results of a Multicenter Study.

This study highlights the risk factors for postoperative stiffness in pediatric humeral lateral condyle fractures, namely increased age, concomitant elbow dislocation, and treatment with open reduction. Families of older patients or severe fracture patterns requiring open reduction and those with concurrent elbow instability should be counseled about their increased risk of stiffness. The authors recommend initially attempting a closed reduction in high-risk patients to help mitigate the risk of postoperative stiffness. Early initiation of range of motion exercises may also be beneficial for at-risk patients. View full study

Prospective Studies