Broken Bones & Strains

Our bones — all 206 of them — are so important and amazing. Bones provide our bodies with structure; and the marrow within most bones is responsible for making red and white blood cells. Adult bones are much different than the bones in kids. 

There are three things that are certain in this life: taxes, death, and your child breaking a bone.

Because kids’ bones are still growing, they are pliable. This is both an advantage and disadvantage in the event of a break.

Children play hard. They run, jump, play sports, and dance. Children also fall. Falling and landing wrong can cause a bone to break, a muscle to strain, or a ligament to twist and tear.

Broken bones are not uncommon. From toddlers on up, some child you know — maybe even yours — is likely to break one. Certain breaks are obvious, and perhaps you’ll see the affected limb with a definite bend to it, an abnormal bump, or even a bone sticking out of the skin. All of these are clear signs that there is indeed a broken bone.

{ MORE: Toddlers Do Break Bones }

There are also certain breaks that are not as obvious and, therefore, go untreated because the skin isn’t broken, there is no bend, and there is no bump. If that’s the case, keep reading to learn about the three signs you should look for, if you suspect a broken bone. 

3 Signs Your Child has a Broken Bone:

1. A recollection of hearing a crack or a grinding sound when your child fell or landed wrong.
2. Pain, swelling, and bruising—breaks are usually accompanied by these symptoms on some level.
3. Limited movement in the affected limb.

As previously stated, little kids are both at an advantage and disadvantage when it comes to breaking bones. Orthopedic surgeon, Jonathan Cluett, M.D., explains that because little kids’ growing bones are flexible and still growing, they heal faster than older bones do; however, in consideration of their quick-healing growth plates, prompt treatment is important because if a break is not properly treated or set, problems with proper growth and development might occur.

What to Do with a Broken Bone

Broken bones need medical attention, so in between the time the break happens and when you can get help, here are three things you should do:

1. Make sure to immobilize the broken limb as best as you can by using a splint or a sling.
2. It’s recommended that medication should not be given, just in case surgery is needed. So in order to help alleviate some of the pain and to reduce swelling, gently apply a cold compress to the affected area.
3. If the bone has come through the skin, apply some pressure to help stop the bleeding, if necessary. Try to avoid doing anything with the bone — just leave that to the doctors.

As always, seek medical attention when you suspect a break, a sprain, or a strain, so that your little one can get proper treatment.