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 BROKEN
BONES
The
harder kids play, the harder they fall. The fact is, broken bones
, or fractures, are common in childhood.
Here
are somthings that parenst usually think about and what they need
to know.
- Most bones
are broken when children are at play or participating in sports
Children often fall, and it is a natural instinct to throw the hands
out in an attempt to stop the fall. Therefore, most fractures occur
in the upper extremities: the wrist, the forearm, and above the
elbow.
- A doctor can
often tell whether a bone is broken just by looking at the injured
area. There may be swelling or bruising, or the limb might look
deformed. It may also hurt to move, touch, or press on it. X-rays
are used to confirm a diagnosis, although some fractures can be
difficult to detect on X-rays. Sometimes, in severe breaks, the
broken bone may be poking through the skin.
- The child
is prepared to have the fracture site casted. The procedure of setting
a bone is known as a closed reduction. Reduction involves manipulating
the fracture or displaced ends of the bone into proper alignment,
and then holding the realigned bone in place. Casts are made from
either plaster of paris or synthetic (fiberglass) material. Plaster
of paris is easier to mold over difficult fractures, but is heavier
and less resistant to water . Synthetic material comes in many bright
colors, is lighter and cooler, and is often used for less complicated
fractures.
- A fracture
that does not break the skin is called a closed fracture. When the
ends of the broken bone break through the skin, the fracture is
called an open (or compound) fracture. Open fractures need to be
cleaned thoroughly in the sterile environment of the operating room
before they are set because the bone's exposure to the air poses
a risk of infection.
- In young children,
one side of the bone can bend, raising a little buckle, and this
is called a buckle or torus fracture. This common bone break usually
heals in 3 to 4 weeks.
- Just as the
name implies, this fracture resembles what would happen if one tried
to break a green stick. This is a partial fracture in which one
side of the bone is broken and the other side bends.
- Fractures
heal at different rates depending upon the age of the child and
the type of fracture. Young children may heal in as little as 3
weeks, although it may take 6 weeks for the same kind of fracture
to heal in teens.
- Certain fractures
of larger long such as the femur (thigh bone), are difficult to
keep straight in a cast. Some of these fractures are treated for
a few days in traction. When the fracture begins to show early healing,
a cast can then be applied to hold the bone straight while healing
is completed.
- Can plaster
of paris casts get wet? Absolutely not! A wet cast could cause irritation
or inflammation of the skin.
- Fiberglass
casts with waterproof liners allow children to continue bathing
or even go swimming during the healing process. The liner allows
for evaporation of water and sweat. The liner is fragile. It must
be protected to allow it to function properly. Your child's doctor
will determine if the fracture may be safely treated with a waterproof
cast.
- Try blowing
some air in the cast with a hair dryer - be sure to use the cool
setting. You should never pour baby powder or oils in the cast,
or try to reach the itch with a pencil or hanger - these fixes could
irritate your child's skin and cause an infection.
- Yes. Children
with an inherited condition known as osteogenesis imperfecta have
bones that are brittle and more susceptible to breaking. Children
who participate in sports or are generally active are more likely
to experience fractures than their more sedentary counterparts.
To reduce risks, be sure your child is wearing the recommended protective
gear.
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