DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.24.00474 ISSN: 2160-3251

Cactus Thorn Knee Injuries in Children

Kendall Schwartz, Gabrielle Ford, Alexandra Cancio-Bello, Heather Menzer, Dane Van Tassel, Mittun Patel, Melissa Esparza

Case:

Three cases of pediatric patients with knee injuries from cactus thorns are included. These cases are variable in presentation ranging from acute inflammatory responses to permanent limb deformity secondary to growth arrest. Definitive treatment also varied widely from nonoperative conservative management to multiple arthroscopic and open surgeries.

Conclusion:

Pediatric cactus thorn injuries have varied presentations, requiring a high level of clinical suspicion for diagnosis and treatment to prevent permanent damage.

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