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Researchers are going to the zoo to help children with broken bones
Orthopaedic surgeons from NUH are swapping their operating theatres and clinics for a day out at the zoo in the hope of encouraging young people and their families from across the East Midlands to take part in the international CORE-Kids research trial.
Their research is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and involves children from around the world looking at how broken bones (fractures) are treated in children aged 5-15. Overall, researchers are hoping to speak to over 300 children and families over the next 15 months.
Ben Marson, Orthopaedic Surgery registrar at Nottingham Children’s Hospital and NIHR Doctoral Fellow explains: “Children and young people who suffer a fracture may be living in pain and may miss out on doing activities they enjoy such as playing sports and generally being active.
“These kinds of injuries may mean that children experience disrupted sleep, they may need to take time off school, and their general happiness can be affected. And 10 per cent of children who suffer from a fracture won’t make a full recovery a year after their injury.”
Ben added: “With CORE-Kids, which is an international study, we will be finding out which outcomes – or results – are the most important ones to measure.
“This will mean that we will shape all future research trials on children’s fractures. This should lead to better care and management of these children through better evidence-based medicine.”
The CORE-Kids trial will also help to provide more consistent standards of treatment and follow-up after a fracture.
Twycross Zoo was chosen as a popular location to help raise awareness of this research trial among parents and children affected by fractures.