Inflammatory rheumatic diseases in childhood and adolescence are a special challenge in the treatment of acute trauma. The pharmaceutical treatment strategies for children and adolescents have been modified.
Which special aspects must be considered in young patients suffering from rheumatism when a trauma necessitates an operative procedure?
A literature search was carried out to elaborate recommendations for the practice.
The joint-related alterations in young patients suffering from rheumatism differ with respect to the differently altered inflammatory rheumatic destruction. The extent of these inflammatory destructive alterations dictates the operative approach. Consequences arise in paying attention to the concurrent medication with respect to avoidance of events triggering an exacerbation and tissue infections. The bone strength necessitates an individualized selection of implants and sometimes influences the duration of follow-up treatment. In the early stages of the inflammatory process the approach in cases of trauma is no different to that for healthy patients but in later stages (Larsen stage III) it does differ.
An interdisciplinary concept can help to avoid disadvantages in the treatment of the underlying disease. Due to the special dysplastic anatomy and tissue alterations, trauma in these patients is a particular challenge.