BROKEN BONES AND FRACTURES
If you suspect your child has a broken bone, it’s important to see a pediatric orthopedic physician
right away to assess the timing of the diagnosis and treatment.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Did you know the terms “fracture” and “break” mean the same thing? A fracture is a break in any bone in the body, and there are many different types of fractures. If you suspect your child has a fractured or broken bone, it is important to see a pediatric orthopedic physician as soon as possible after the injury. It’s not a good idea to wait until the child grows to correct the fracture as a small surgery might turn into a big one.
We often see patients who have broken bones participating in the following activities, so exercise additional caution when letting kids participate in these activities:
- Playing on monkey bars is the number one way kids break bones
- Jumping on trampolines is number two!
- Contact sports like football and gymnastics/competitive cheer
- Riding ATVs/dirt bikes
- Jumping in bounce houses
- Riding down slides in a parent’s lap
Common Ways Children Fracture Bones Playing Sports
- Collisions
- Pileups
- Twisting
- Falling
How do I know if my child has a broken bone
“If you feel your child may have a broken bone, be sure to bring him or her to Medical City Children’s Orthopedic and Spine Specialists so one of our pediatric orthopedic specialists can provide a comprehensive diagnosis. It’s often hard to diagnose a broken bone without an X-ray exam and a medical exam.” Shyam Kishan, MD. “That’s why we have an X-ray located in our office. When you arrive at our office, we will X-ray your child’s possible fracture before you see that physician. That way, you will know if your child has a broken bone and what the plan of treatment is before you leave the office.”
Symptoms of a Broken Bone
- Intense pain or pain that lasts longer than a few days after a fall or injury
- Swelling, bruising, or bleeding
- Numbness and tingling
- Not using or favoring an arm or leg
- Unable to walk or walking is crooked
- A child who can’t talk keeps pointing to a body part or cries when it is moved or touched
- Is well rested, eats a balanced diet and stays hydrated
- Wears protective gear appropriate for their sport or activity
- Warms up and stretches muscles and joints before activities
- Plays in areas that are safe and free of holes, ruts and debris
Types of Broken Bones or Fractures
Most human bones are surprisingly strong and can generally stand up to strong impacts or forces. However, if that force is too powerful, or there is something wrong with the bone, it can fracture. Because children’s bones are more elastic, when they do have fractures, they tend to be different. Children also have growth plates – areas of growing bone – at the end of their bones which may sometimes be damaged. Therefore, it is important for children to see an orthopedic surgeon who is also a pediatric physician when they experience a fractured bone.
Diagnosis and Treatment
“If your child suffers from a broken or fractured bone, rest assured that the pediatric orthopedic specialists at Medical City Children’s Orthopedic and Spine Specialists specialize in the treatment of children. For minimally invasive surgeries, we have in-house recovery after surgery (IRAS) so during the recovery period, your child stays in the comfort of our offices.” Kathryn Wiesman, M.D.
Call 214-556-0590 to make an appointment.
Comprehensive services for children from birth through adolescence at four convenient locations:
Arlington, Dallas, Frisco and McKinney.