Kids are at a high risk of having a fracture especially that they play roughly, jump from high levels and do not calculate the risk of injuries. Differentiating bruises from fractures is a bit confusing especially if you have never experienced any bone fracture before. You should usually follow the symptoms of broken bones that are the following:
A sudden crack noise
Severe pain and tenderness. Your child won’t let you touch the broken part
Increase of pain when moving
A stiff member
A limb out of position
How are kids’ bones different?
Children bones have a highly healing capacity. Bones remodeling is excellent thus no problems of alignment.
Kids’ bones are softer than adults’ bones.
Kids’ bones tend to bend more rather than to break.
What should I do if my child has a broken bone?
In this situation you should not panic and try to support your child. First you should protect and immobilize the fracture, put your child in a comfortable position and call your doctor immediately.
While waiting for medical assistance you can follow these steps:
Put ice on the broken area, it will help minimize the pain and swelling. Make sure not to apply ice directly on your child’s skin. Wrap them in a towel.
Wrap his limb with a fabric bandage but not tightly and support the fracture with a cloth or cushion.
Elevate the broken limb.
In case your child is suffering from skull or neck fracture, do not move him at all. Call the emergency number and your doctor.
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