Childhood and broken bones go together like peanut butter and jelly. Almost half of all kids break a bone – and ages 11-15 are when most fractures occur.
So, what do you do – and where do you go when your child breaks a bone?
How do you know if your child broke a bone?
Breaks aren’t always apparent in kids’ bones. Their bones are still growing, have more cartilage, and are more flexible than adult bones. Some breaks or fractures appear in X-rays as gaps in the bones and joints.
A severe break can cause a broken bone to poke through the skin, but most breaks aren’t as visible. A doctor’s exam and X-ray are usually needed to confirm a broken bone.
Broken bone symptoms are typically more severe than a sprain. The common signs of a broken include:
- Pain when moving the injured limb
- Swollen, bruised and/or crooked limb
- Inability to put weight on the injured limb or move it like normal
Children may not be able to judge the severity of the pain, so don’t hesitate to get it checked out by a healthcare provider.
If your child experiences a severe sprain or broken bone, the sooner they receive care, the better. X-rays are the only sure way to determine if there is a broken bone.
What to do if you think your child has a broken bone?
If the break is severe, with a bone poking through the skin, call 911. Do not move your child while you wait for medical care.
If your child feels pain but you don’t see a bone, follow these steps to make your child comfortable until you get to a doctor:
- Gently remove or cut away clothing from the injured area if possible.
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth to the injury.
- Give your child over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Support the limb with a pillow or stabilize it with a makeshift splint or sling. To make a sling, put a long scarf under the arm and then put each end over a shoulder before tying it behind the neck.
Where should you go when your child breaks a bone?
For minor broken bones, you can avoid the long wait and expense of an ER. Instead, visit an urgent care center or ask your pediatrician or primary care provider for a same-day X-ray referral.
Hospital emergency rooms have X-ray equipment and a team of specialists available to provide a medical diagnosis and further treatment if necessary.
When to go to an urgent care center:
- Injuries are not life-threatening
- Severe pain or injury in the small bones of the hands, wrists, feet, or ankles
- Your child can move their injured arm or put weight on their injured leg
When to go to a hospital emergency room:
- The bone is pushing out of the skin
- The potential break is in the head, neck, or long bones of the arms or legs
- Heavy bleeding is present
- The break restricts blood flow
- The area is misaligned or deformed
- The patient can’t move their toes if the injury is in the leg or their fingers if the injury is in the arm
A Note from Good Life Family Medicine
Seeing your child in pain from a broken bone can be unsettling and scary. It’s natural to be concerned and have questions. The good news is that most kids who experience a broken bone have no long-term effects after their bone heals.
Talk to your healthcare provider about how to help your child stay comfortable and safe while they heal.
Good Life Family Medicine in College Station, Texas, provides care for your whole family and offers same-day appointments. Contact us for more information about our services – or book an appointment online today.
