Effect of Postoperative Immobility on Children with Musculoskeletal Injuries

Ahmed Abd El-Ghani, Naglaa; Salah Eldin. El-Rafay, Safy; Naser El-Din Mosbeh, Asmaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2019.65527

Effect of Postoperative Immobility on Children with Musculoskeletal Injuries

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Ain Shams University.

10.21608/ejhc.2019.65527

Abstract

Background: Immobility has serious consequences physical, social and psychological
for a child. Aim of the study: A study aimed to assess the effect of postoperative immobility on
children with musculoskeletal injuries. Design: A descriptive design was used to conduct this
study. Setting: the study was conducted at pediatric orthopedic surgical Inpatient and outpatient
clinic at children's Hospitals affiliated to Ain Shams Hospital and El-Helal Hospital affiliated to
Ministry of Health. Subjects: A purposive sample including 80 children exposed to
musculoskeletal injuries. Tools of data collection: Part I structured interview format to assess
characteristics and medical history of children. Part II-1 assessment of physical postoperative
immobility. Part II-2 assessment of psychologically postoperative immobility. Results: more
than half of the studied sample had physical effect, low self-esteem and severe anxiety.
Conclusion: The current study concluded that the main cause of musculoskeletal injuries was
traumatic injuries. Children stayed in cast for long period, so that the effect of postoperative
immobility had negative effects on physical and psychological wellbeing of children with
musculoskeletal injuries. Recommendations: Emphasize on the importance of implementing
nursing care program for children in postoperative period for minimizing the physical and
psychological effects of immobility on children with musculoskeletal injuries.

Keywords