What is a fracture in a child?

A fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone. They happen when more force is applied to the bone than the bone can absorb.

What are the symptoms of a fracture in a child?

The most common symptoms if your child breaks a bone are:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Obvious deformity of the bone
• Trouble using or moving the bone in a normal way

What is a fracture in a child?

Once a fracture is diagnosed on an X-ray, the treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health.

The goal of treatment is to control the pain, help the bone heal, and prevent complications so your child can use the fractured area again normally. Treatment may include:

• Splint or cast - This keeps the broken bone in place while it heals.
• Medicine - Certain medicines can help ease the pain.
• Surgery - Your child may need surgery to put certain types of broken bones back into place. Sometimes the surgeon puts metal rods or pins inside the bone or outside the body to hold the bone pieces in place. This helps them heal in the correct position.