Fractures

Our kids can be very active, and, unfortunately, accidents do happen. One of the most common injuries in school-age children is fractures. Broken bones in children are generally not too serious (bones in young children are more flexible and have a thicker covering than bones in adults), and they generally heal quickly with proper diagnosis and treatment.

It can be difficult to tell whether or not your child has a broken bone. As a general rule of thumb, if the bone is broken, your child will experience pain and will be unable/unwilling to move the affected limb. However, some children are too young to tell you they are in pain, and just because a child is able to move the limb, doesn't always mean the bone isn't fractured. If you suspect the bone is broken, it never hurts to take your child to the doctor to have it examined.

The first thing the doctor will do if a fracture is suspected is order x-rays in order to see the extent of the injury. Most of the time a simple cast that immobilizes the area is all that is needed for the fracture to heal. If the fracture is more serious, bones that are displaced may need to be realigned by an orthopedic surgeon.

Here are a few tips if your child does appear to have a fracture injury:
1) Try to immobilize the area with use of a sling or splint.
2) If your child is older, place an ice pack on the area to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Never use ice with babies or toddlers because their skin is delicate and the extreme cold can cause injury.
3) Don't give your child anything by mouth; no food, drink, or medication for pain.
4) If your child has a broken leg, don't try to move him/her yourself. You may cause further injury. Instead call for medical help.
5) If bone is protruding through the skin, use firm pressure on the wound to control the bleeding, and then cover the area with clean gauze to help prevent infection.