Fractures in children

FRACTURES IN CHILDREN

It is normal for children to sustain injuries while indulging in physical activities and sports. Each time a fracture occurs, the child’s bone is broken either partially or completely. A child can also sustain either open or closed fracture. When a closed fracture occurs, the child’s skin remains intact despite break in bone.

 On the other hand, the bone breaks through the skin each time an open fracture occurs.

Causes The risk of fractures increases as a child grows. Boys are more likely to sustain fractures than girls. Fracture occurs each time a child applies more force on his bone and the bone fails to absorb the additional force. Normally, a child’s bone breaks due to trauma falls or direct blow. Also, both open and closed fracture may occur due to obesity, inadequate calcium intake and poor nutrition. The children with fracture history are more prone to break bones in future. Hence, the cause of fracture differs from child to another.

Symptoms The signs and symptoms of fracture vary from one child to another. However, the common symptoms of bone fracture are deformity in the injured area, pain or swelling in the affected area, inability to move or use the injured area normally, and redness/bruising in the injured area. Hence, the parents can easily detect children’s fracture by observing the injured area.

Diagnosis The parents must contact an orthopaedic as soon as they see the symptoms of bone fracture. The must take the child to a skilled orthopaedic for diagnosis and treatment. The physician will perform X-ray to identify the exact injured area and assess the severity and causes of the fracture. But the parents must take the child to a skilled orthopaedic for treatment without any delay.

Treatment The skilled orthopaedic always treat fracture according to its cause, symptoms, and severity. They normally treat fractured hands, fingers or wrist with casting or splitting.

But they perform surgery to reset the fractured bone if the symptoms are severe. Sometimes the orthopaedics reset the fractured bone by using metal plates, rods, screws or pins.

Hence, each treatment for fracture aims to heal the bone through proper positioning.

Content Designed By : Kids Orthopedic