Fractures In Children: Points To Keep In Mind
- Children frequently sustain fractures because their bones have not yet fully grown.
- The majority of fractures heal without any long - term problems.
- Until the bone heals, fractures are typically treated with a full or partial cast or splint to limit movement.
- To ensure your child's bone heals properly and to prevent skin injury, it's crucial to take care of the cast.
- The length of time the cast must be worn depends depend on the type of injury; your doctor will let you know whether you need to schedule any more sessions.
It is a huge task to get children to sit in one place just to keep them safe. The truth is they will be notorious, and no matter how much you try to protect them, they will fall and get hurt. What you can control is the impact of the injury they receive and provide them with the right treatment and correct first aid.
The best way to be best prepared for every situation is by gaining knowledge and the right skills to address various kinds of emergencies. You can do this by having a childcare CPR certification which is a comprehensive course built to help you become a proficient emergency handler.
What is a fracture then?
- A broken bone is referred to as having a fracture. Young children’s developing and underdeveloped bones make them more brittle than adult bones, making fractures a common childhood injury
- Any bone in the body can fracture, but children are more likely to sustain fractures to their wrists, arms, and elbows, which typically happen after a fall
- The majority of fractures heal without any long-term problems
Fractures In Children – Symptoms
Usually, older kids can describe to you where they are hurt and what happened to produce the injury. If a fracture has developed, it may be simpler to detect it as a result. In newborns or young children, finding a fracture can be more challenging. There might not be any evident damage, but they might weep and stop using the injured area.
The following symptoms may be present in your child if you believe they have a fracture:
- Deformity (strange shape) of the wounded area
- Inflammation or redness around the damage
- Pain or sensitivity at the injury site
- Unwillingness to utilise or move the affected area
Most Common Fractures In Children
Different factors might cause a bone to fracture. The majority of fractures are caused by mild to moderate trauma, including a fall or a direct impact while a child is playing or taking part in a sport. The bone will break or bend if more force is put on it than it can handle. The sort of fracture will depend on the amount and kind of force.
1. Non-Displaced Fractures
Non-displaced fractures usually result in the bone remaining aligned in a favourable position for healing. Splints, braces, or casts are frequently used to treat these fractures. This improves healing, immobilises the broken bone, and minimizes discomfort and swelling.
Types Of Non-Displaced Fractures
- Single non-displaced fractures: The bone breaks or cracks but remains in its original position
- Stress fractures, often known as “hairline fractures,” are minute fissures that develop in the bone as a result of repeated stress-bearing motions or overuse. Children who take part in gymnastics, dance, or track and field frequently suffer from stress fractures.
- Torus or buckle fractures: One side of the bone bends back on itself. Although damaged, the bone is not fractured. This is a normal childhood injury brought on by a straightforward fall.
2. Displaced Fractures
When a fracture is displaced, the ends of the bone become misaligned. In these situations, the broken bone needs to be realigned in order for it to heal properly. It is referred to as a reduction.
The wounded limb is immobilised with a brace, splint, or cast after the reduction to allow the bone to recover. Other forms of treatment might be required if the treatment is ineffective.
Types Of Displaced Fractures
- An angular fracture is one in which the broken bone’s two ends are at an angle from one another.
- Translated Fractures: The ends of the bone are no longer aligned.
- Rotated fractures: When the bone broke, it spun (rotated).
- When a bone breaks on one side, the opposite side bends, resulting in a greenstick fracture. A greenstick fracture looks like a snapped branch of a tree. The branch splits on one side but has some of its original structure on the other.
3. Growth Plate Fractures
- Growth plate fractures are generally induced by high force during sports or playground incidents
- Based on the severity of the fracture, a splint, cast, or walking boot may be used to treat it
- Surgery is necessary for some severe growth plate fractures
Growth plate fractures are extremely rare, although they might inhibit the growth of the affected arm or leg. A growth plate injury can also cause the limb to develop at an incorrect angle. The growth plates must be protected to the greatest extent feasible when surgeons perform surgery on broken limbs in children.
First Aid For Fractures In Children
While waiting for the fracture to be treated, first aid treatment for fractures seeks to calm your kid while also assisting in the reduction of swelling and pain. After doing the first aid listed below on a suspected fracture, go visit a doctor. Give them a painkiller (e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen) Applying a splint or sling may help limit the movement of the injured area. You should also apply an ice pack to the injury and elevate the limb if possible. It is a good idea to undergo proper training for treating such emergencies at a registered training organisation.
Make sure your kid follows these guidelines as they heal from a fractured bone:
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