Show AllX-rays will generally show if a fracture involves the growth plate. Occasionally the initial x-rays will not show a fracture even when one is present, which causes confusion for parents and patients. If the child is tender over the area of the growth plate, or bone, children will be treated for a growth plate injury, or occult fracture. Sprains are extremely rare in young children.
There are five different patterns of growth plate injuries -- each may have a different prognosis. X-rays are used to distinguish what pattern the child has. In addition, x-rays are used to follow the healing of the fracture and to detect any growth abnormalities as they occur. This may require follow-up x-rays for up to two years after the original fracture.
Most often the fracture is treated with casting. If the fracture is displaced, the alignment may need to be improved with manipulation of the fracture. This is often done under sedation in the Emergency Department. Some injuries require surgical manipulation (restoration of a part to its normal location) and fixation with pins, plates or screws. The physician will advise you as to which option is best for the patient.
The treatment described is limited to non-operative (closed) treatment of these individual fractures. All involve the use of casting, splinting or immobilization of some type. Treatment that is unique to the fracture will be described.
Growth Plate Fractures
Growth plate fractures occur directly through the growth plate. If the bone broke in this area but did not move or displace, the x-rays will appear normal. You may ask the physician to "show you" the fracture; however, the x-rays look normal and a fracture line cannot be seen. If your child is tender, has swelling or bruising and a history of an injury to this part, they most likely will be placed in a cast or splint for four weeks or more.
X-rays are taken once the cast is removed. At this time, signs of healing may be evident, confirming the suspicion of a fracture. It is much better to place your child in a cast / splint for protection than to assume it is "just a sprain."
Closed Treatment of a Distal Fibular Fracture
This fracture occurs on the outside bone of the ankle. The injury may occur when twisting, turning or rolling the ankle. There is pain, swelling and often times bruising around the ankle that may extend to the foot; bearing weight is painful. If the fracture is through the growth plate, x-rays are often normal, unless the fracture is displaced.
Your child will usually be placed in a walking cast for about 3-4 weeks, or until the injury has healed. The patient may be weight bearing if tolerated, with pain as the guide. An x-ray is usually taken at follow-up, but this is usually normal. Once the cast is removed, the patient may need to limit activity for about two more weeks before returning to sports. Exercise may improve range of motion and strength prior to returning to normal activity.
Closed Treatment of Metatarsal Fractures
The metatarsals are the bones in the forefoot just behind the toes. Most fractures are due to one specific acute injury. Stress fractures, although rare in children, can occur from repetitive overuse or stress, such as seen in runners or people taking up new activities that involve being on their feet a lot.
For fractures of the metatarsal, immobilization comes in the form of a cast or wooden sole shoe. These often require four weeks or more to heal. Depending on which metatarsal is broken, your child may need crutches for walking but most metatarsal fractures are treated with full weight bearing permitted.
Closed Treatment of Tibial Shaft Fractures
The tibia is the large shin bone located below the knee. This bone can be broken by an injury that takes significant force, such as in football, or in a toddler by a simple fall. It is one of the slowest bones to heal and can take 4-16 weeks to heal.
If the fracture is displaced, a manipulation is usually done with sedation or pain medication. Your child is then placed in a long leg cast. It is important for the cast to be above the knee to keep the tibia from moving, since it forms part of the knee joint. Usually the patient uses crutches for the first several weeks and must keep weight off the leg. Once the fracture starts to heal and new bone is present, the patient is allowed to bear weight. Frequently the cast is changed to a below knee cast, allowing the knee to move and giving the patient more mobility.
If the initial fracture is displaced, x-rays are taken frequently to assure the alignment has been maintained in the cast. Angles can be measured on the x-rays to confirm satisfactory alignment of the fracture. Often the position is not perfect, but future growth will usually correct any offset and give excellent results.
Closed Treatment of Metacarpal Fractures
The metacarpals are the bones that form the palm of the hand, located just before the fingers. Most fractures of the metacarpals involve bones that lead to the little finger (fifth finger). These breaks are commonly known as "boxer's fractures," since the most common mechanism of injury is striking someone or something with a closed fist. If significantly displaced, a manipulation may be necessary.
Up to 70 degrees of angulation, or displacement, can be accepted without compromising the function of the hand. The patient needs to be aware that the prominence of the knuckle may be lost after the fracture heals. Casting may be needed for four to six weeks.
Buckle Fractures
Buckle fractures are incomplete fractures that compress (buckle) one side of the bone. These fractures usually occur near the end of the bone. They are among the quickest to heal, and may require only 3-4 weeks of casting. They often become more apparent on follow-up x-rays when the healing bone is seen.
Greenstick Fractures
Greenstick fractures involve a complete break on one side of a child's bone, and a bending of bone (stays partially together, or intact), on the other side. This is similar to snapping the branch of a young tree, in which it cracks on one side but it stays partially intact, on the other side.
Unlike adults, children can show tremendous remodeling of their fractures. Overlapped and moderately crooked bones in a child may not require manipulation if the child has good remodeling potential. Bones are rarely held in perfect position in a cast, however, the results are usually excellent, due to remodeling.
The use of wrist guards for rollerblading, rollerskating, or skateboarding have been proven to reduce wrist fractures.
In warm months waterproof casts may be a good option for many children with simple fractures. The child / teen may swim and shower in a waterproof cast.
Call your child's doctor after fracture treatment if pain gets worse after casting and is not relieved with rest, elevation, and ibuprofen, Tylenol", or Tylenol" with codeine elixir. Call your child's doctor if your child experiences swollen, pale, or blue fingers or toes; or any changes in feeling in the toes or fingers such as numbness and tingling or being cold to the touch. Fingers and toes should remain warm and pink.
Raising the arm or leg on a pillow above heart level should relieve swelling or blueness of the fingers or toes. If there is no improvement within 30 minutes please call the doctor. To reach the orthopaedic doctor before 5 pm, Monday through Friday, please call 513-636-4787. After 5 pm, during weekends and on holidays, please call 513-636-4200 and ask that the orthopaedic resident-on-call be paged.
Information regarding specific care will be provided by your child's orthopaedic physician, the orthopaedic technologist, or physician assistant (e.g., care of the cast, use of ice for swelling, etc.).
Cast Care
- Do not get the cast wet, unless it is a waterproof cast
- Do not pull out the cast padding
- Do not stick objects under the cast edge
- Do not walk on a cast without your doctor's permission
- A hair dryer on a cool setting may be used to relieve itching
- Your child will likely experience joint pain and stiffness for a few days after cast removal.
- Detailed discharge instructions for your child's specific injury will be provided by the orthopaedic nurse or orthopaedic physician, orthopaedic technologist, or physician assistant.
Many simple fractures in children do not require formal physical therapy. If your child had a severe fracture, or needs to return to sports, exercises or physical therapy may be necessary. Please ask your doctor.
Activity restrictions, if any, will be provided by the orthopaedic nurse or physician. Most patients will require 1-2 weeks before they can return to sports and gym class. Ask the physician or nurse for a note to be excused from these activities during this time.
Sports
Athletes with many minor hand and wrist fractures may play sports with a padded cast, or splint, if league rules allow. The athlete may need a physician note approving sports participation.
Return to Sports Criteria
- Full range of motion of all joints of affected limb.
- > 85% strength in affected limb compared to opposite side.
- Good agility (jumping, hopping) for lower extremities.
- No limp if lower extremity injury.
If you need to reach the Orthopaedic Nurse before 4 pm, Monday through Friday, please call 513-636-4567. After 4 pm, and during weekends and holidays, please call 513-636-4200 and ask that the Orthopaedic Resident on call be paged.
For additional information on this or any health topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
