CHILDREN AND BROKEN BONE

A fracture can be considered as a synonym more or less because of the condition of the bones in both kinds of injuries. It means to say that there’s not much difference. It’s the most common injury a child may encounter few times in childhood. These injuries are minor and can be fixed just by a moulded cast unlike the major injuries in the car crashes or other incidents that has to be fixed conducting a surgery alone. A child’s bone has a thicker covering and is more flexible and capable of absorbing a shock in comparison with the adults.

TYPES OF BROKEN BONES/FRACTURES:

“Green stick” fractures - The bone is bent like a green wood and only on one side

“Torus” fractures - Bone is twisted or weakened but not completely broken

“Bend” fractures - Bone is bent but not broken

“Complete” fracture - Bone is broken completely

When the growth plate in a bone is damaged, the bone does not heal properly which may decrease its growth or even may grow in a different angle. These growth plates are responsible for future growth. Hence, when your child has had a fracture regular follow ups with a paediatrician will enable you to know the state of the bones and the doctor too will guide you accordingly.

FRACTURES ARE ALSO CLASSIFIED AS-

• Displaced -When the ends of the bones are out of alignment
• Non- Displaced - When the broken bones are still in the same alignment
• Compound - When the bone sticks through the skin

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A BROKEN BONE:

• Swelling in the injured area
• Pain
• Unable to move

Home Treatment: Before you could get an appointment, wait at the clinic and meet the doctor, you can try a home remedy to relieve your child from discomfort. Few home remedies-

• Use a rolled-up newspaper or a magazine and use it as a splint on the injury to restrict movement.
• Don’t give him any medications orally without consulting a doctor.
• Use a cold pack or a cold towel on the injury to decrease the intensity of the pain
• While the same cannot be tried with kids less than 5 year olds.
• Don’t try to move your child when he is hurt as it may tamper the bone when you do not do it carefully. Call the ambulance and the paramedics will be able to help your child with that.
• If the bone is protruding out of the skin use sterilized gauze but don’t try to push it in.
• Consult a doctor if he is having fever even after the treatment is give.

PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT:

At Children Trauma Centre in Hyderabad, a paediatric doctor will do the following-

• Take an X-ray to examine the area of the broken bone and the damage caused
• If the growth plates in the bone are damaged he will refer you to a Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon in Hyderabad.
• For a displaced fracture a surgery is conducted to align the bones and cast is placed.
• If your child experiences any numbness in fingers and toes or they become blue in colour consult the doctor immediately.