Types of fracture
There are several types of fracture commonly seen in children. These include the following:
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Greenstick fracture: this is when a bone is bent rather than broken. Greenstick fractures are common in young children, whose bones are softer than adults’ bones.
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Undisplaced fracture: this is when the bone is cracked, but still in the correct position.
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Open or compound fracture: this is when one end of the broken bone is exposed to the outside through the skin. It could easily become infected.
Symptoms
The area around the fracture is painful and usually becomes swollen. Sometimes there’s an obvious deformity visible. Your child might hold his arm or leg perfectly still because even the slightest movement increases the pain.
If you think your child has a fractured limb because of any of the symptoms described above, you should see your doctor or go to the emergency section of a hospital.
Tests
The diagnosis of a fracture should always be confirmed by an X-ray. If there’s any doubt, a doctor might send your child for other tests, such as a CT scan or nuclear bone scan.
Treatment
If you think your child has a fracture, splint it by resting it on something solid and see your doctor. Avoid giving your child food or drink until you’ve seen the doctor, in case he needs an operation. Your child might also need pain relief, such as paracetamol.
Most fractured limbs need to be splinted or put into a plaster cast. This lets the bones knit back together and mend without being disturbed by too much movement.
The healing time depends on the type of fracture and the severity of the break. Generally, though, children’s bones mend rapidly, usually without any complications.
If your child has a fracture of the skull, she’ll need careful medical attention because of the delicacy of the underlying brain tissue.
Encourage your child to use the affected limb after the cast has been removed – this is the best physiotherapy.
Caring for a fracture in a cast
After your child has a plaster cast put on, he needs to take care to ensure that there are no complications.
- Keep your child’s limb elevated to decrease swelling (in a sling for the arm) for 48 hours – this is how long it takes for the plaster to dry completely.
- Encourage your child to wiggle the fingers or toes of the affected limb.
- Return to your doctor the following day for a check of the plaster cast. This is very important – it ensures that swelling hasn’t made the plaster too tight overnight.
If your child is itchy under the plaster cast, don’t poke anything (for example, a knitting needle) into the cast. This might lead to an increased risk of infection.
Don’t get the plaster cast wet – use a plastic bag over the area when bathing.
