If your child has suffered from a forearm fracture in any form, it is advised to visit a good orthopaedic doctor for better evaluation and treatment. An orthopaedic is a specialist who deals with joint and bone problems and solutions.
Types of Child Arm fracture
There could be different reasons for the breaking of bone among children. The types also depend upon the type of fracture.
- Non-Displaced Fracture: It happens when the bone completely breaks away whereas the end remains linked and line up to each other
- Greenstick Fracture: It happens when the bone bends to one side, but it remains intact and never break free from either side
- Displaced Fracture: When the broken pieces of bones do not line up
- Growth Plate Fracture: In case of any breakage through or near a growth plate. It is the soft side of the bone and as a child grows, the bone also grows. Any injury in the growth plate takes time to complete healing. Sometimes injuries in the growth plate are difficult to treat.
There is an open fracture that is through the skin and is called a compound fracture. However, there are also closed fracture which does not come through the skin.
Treatment of Child Arm Fractures
The child fractured arm and elbow treatments depend on the location, type as well we severity of the fracture. There are some home and medical remedies which can be taken to provide immediate relief to the child:
- You need to ice the affected area for some 15 to 20 minutes and that 3 to 4 times a day. It can reduce swelling and pain. You can also make a cold slab at home by putting ice bags in a plastic bag and close them from the top. You then put the bag in a clean towel or any soft cloth which does not irritate. Make sure you always cover the ice slab and never expose it directly to the skin or make skin contact. The same can be put on an affected skin safely.
- You can make a child wear cast for some 3 to 6 weeks even, depending upon the injury.
- You can ask your child to lift his/her arm a bit to bring the swelling down. Keep the level of the forearm above the level of the heart, also reduces swelling.
Sometimes, fractures also look for closed reduction, which means bringing together the broken pieces of bones back to their alignment level. There is as such no incision needed for the process and it is mainly done outside the body part. In the case of severe fracture, joint fracture or even growth plate, surgery procedure is required. The fixation devices are also made a part of the broken limb during surgery so it could hold back the broken part of the arm. All this is prescribed by the doctor or specialist and is done some 3 to 6 weeks after performing a surgical procedure.
Above mentioned procedures are meant for the healing of the fractured arm. It is pertinent to mention that a medical specialist determines what needs to be done depending upon the type and intensity of the injury on the arm. Parents need to be careful when dealing with a child arm fracture and listen to what the doctor advice.
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