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Changes in Quality of Life and Psychological Outcomes in Children with Tibial Fractures After Treatment

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate changes in quality of life (QoL) and psychological outcomes in children with tibial fractures after treatment, stratified by age groups (0-<6, 6-<12, ≥12 years), and identify age-specific recovery patterns. Methods: This study enrolled 193 children (aged 0-16 years) with isolated tibial fractures treated at Center for Children's Health, Capital Medical University from November 2024 to September 2025. Groups: 0-<6 years (n=39), 6-<12 years (n=108), ≥12 years (n=46). Exclusion criteria included multiple fractures, relevant comorbidities, cognitive impairment affecting assessment, and incomplete data; treatment modality or fixation type was not used as an exclusion criterion. PedsQL assessments were performed before treatment and once at the 3- to 6-month post-treatment follow-up. Data were analyzed with SPSS 26.0 using ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis tests, chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, and paired t-tests. Results: No significant differences in demographics, injury mechanisms, severity (AIS/ISS), complications, operative time, hospitalization, weight-bearing time, or immobilization across groups (P>0.05). All groups showed significant PedsQL improvements post-treatment (P<0.001): physical (76-79 to 93-94), emotional (70-83 to 91-95), social (72-75 to 89-94), school (71-74 to 90-92), psychosocial (69-77 to 92-94), total (74-79 to 93-95). Younger groups had lower pre-treatment emotional/psychosocial scores but greatest gains; post-treatment differences minimal except emotional/social (P=0.003). Conclusion: Tibial fracture treatment yields substantial QoL and psychological improvements across ages, with younger children showing resilience in emotional/psychosocial recovery. Age-sensitive follow-up that includes rehabilitation guidance and psychosocial screening may help identify children needing additional family, school, or psychological support.

Source: Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management

DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s606398

Authors: Gang Ren, Xin Wang, Zhenjiang Liu

Institutions: Capital Medical University, Capital Institute of Pediatrics

Language: English

Topic: Bone fractures and treatments

Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836