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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Obesity | Original Article

Obese adolescents have higher risk for severe lower extremity fractures after falling

Authors: Nicolas Gonzalez, Jeffry Nahmias, Sebastian Schubl, Lourdes Swentek, Brian R. Smith, Ninh T. Nguyen, Areg Grigorian

Published in: Pediatric Surgery International | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Introduction

Reports vary on the impact of obesity on the incidence of lower extremity fractures after a fall. We hypothesized that obese adolescents (OA) presenting after a fall have a higher risk of any and severe lower extremity fractures compared to non-OAs.

Methods

A national database was queried for adolescents (12–17 years old) after a fall. Primary outcome included lower extremity fracture. Adolescents with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 (OA) were compared to adolescents with a BMI < 30 (non-OA).

Results

From 20,264 falls, 2523 (12.5%) included OAs. Compared to non-OAs, the rate of any lower extremity fracture was higher for OAs (51.5% vs. 30.7%, p < 0.001). This remained true for lower extremity fractures at all locations (all p < 0.05). After adjusting for sex and age, associated risk for any lower extremity fracture (OR 2.41, CI 2.22–2.63, p < 0.001) and severe lower extremity fracture (OR 1.31, CI 1.15–1.49, p < 0.001) was higher for OAs. This remained true in subset analyses of ground level falls (GLF) and falls from height (FFH) (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Obesity significantly impacts adolescents’ risk of all types of lower extremity fractures after FFH or GLF. Hence, providers should have heightened awareness for possible lower extremity fractures in OAs.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Title: Obese adolescents have higher risk for severe lower extremity fractures after falling
Authors: Nicolas Gonzalez
Jeffry Nahmias
Sebastian Schubl
Lourdes Swentek
Brian R. Smith
Ninh T. Nguyen
Areg Grigorian
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Published in: Pediatric Surgery International / Issue 1/2023
Print ISSN: 0179-0358
Electronic ISSN: 1437-9813
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-023-05524-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Obese adolescents have higher risk for severe lower extremity fractures after falling

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

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