Kids' Fractures Require Special Attention To Avoid Complications Down The Road
Children are energetic, active, and playful. They play as hard as they can and are oftentimes unaware of their own safety.
As can be expected, bone breaks or fractures are very common (diagram of bone breaks) in children. Bone breaks are the fourth most common accidental injury for children under 6-years-old.
Broken bones can be difficult to recognize if the bone is not displaced. Signs and symptoms of bone breaks include:
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Pain
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Swelling
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Bruising
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Tenderness
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Numbness
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Limited mobility
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Deformity
If you suspect that your child has suffered a broken bone, you should apply ice to the area, keep the limb still, and seek medical care. If you suspect that your child injured their spine, head, or neck, you should immediately call 911, then make sure not to move them, keep them laying down, and keep them calm until help arrives.
The good news is that unlike older bones, children’s’ bones heal better and faster. This is because their bones are stronger and more flexible, so they can better absorb shock. Proper diet can help keep a child’s bones healthy by building bone mass. This can help prevent bone fractures when they are teens and help prevent bone breaks and osteoporosis later in life.
The Mayo Clinic published a study revealing that the number of forearm fractures in Rochester, Minnesota have increased over 32% in boys and 56% in girls. Researchers suspect that one cause is inadequate calcium.
The most common type of bone breaks in children are greenstick fractures, which is an incomplete fracture caused by the bone bending. Impacted fractures, the ends of the bones are driven into each other, is another common bone fracture seen in children, usually occurring in their arms. Other types of bone breaks include:
- Transverse fractures
- Oblique fractures
- Comminuted fractures
- Pathologic fractures.
Many bone fractures occur when a child is running, playing sports, falls or is involved in an automobile or atv accident. Many of these breaks occur in the wrist, forearm, and around the elbow as they try to brace themselves as they fall. Most of these fractures are relatively minor, but dangerous injuries can still occur. Therefore, it is important to take steps to prevent injuries. These efforts include:
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Ensure that your children wear proper protective gear during sports
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Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs
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Provide adequate supervision
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Follow warning sides and rules
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Teach your children about safety
Sadly, another cause of bone fractures in children is abuse. Thighbone fractures in children under a year old are caused by abuse in 70% of cases. (See Children Are Frequently Targets of Abuse in a Group Home Setting) Therefore, it is important for children to have a network of trusted adults who can identify and address any possible abuse.
It is only natural that a parent would want to protect their children from harm. Nevertheless, children will be children, and accidents are bound to occur. It is still important to take precautions to prevent accidents and know what to do in case of injury. Children are resilient and more often than not, bone breaks are only minor injuries that are easily treated.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to protecting the rights of children during all activities. If your child has suffered a bone fracture or other type of injury due to the negligence of another, we would honor the opportunity to speak with you.
Special thanks to Heather Keil, J.D. for her assistance with this Child Injury Law Blog entry
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It never ceases to amaze me how the poor judgment of an adult can lead to disastrous consequences for a child.