Accidents happen. It’s important to recognize whether your child could be dealing with a broken bone so that you can bring them in to see their pediatrician right away. Warning signs of a broken bone include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, a popping or snapping sound at the moment of injury, trouble straightening the limb, inability to put weight on the area, or limited range of motion.
If the bone is visible through the skin, call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room. If there is no bone visible but your child is still experiencing these symptoms, call your pediatrician right away. The most common fractures in kids affect the bones of the elbows, ankles, and wrists.
How is a broken bone treated?
Your pediatrician will run X-rays to determine the location and severity of the break, then place a splint or cast around the broken bone to provide support and stabilization. Your doctor may also recommend home exercises or refer your child to a pediatric orthopedist for physical therapy, and you will need to bring your child back in a few weeks to check healing progress.