Fractures in Children

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone. When a fracture occurs, it is classified as either open or closed:

• Open fracture (also called compound fracture). The bone exits and is visible through the skin, or a deep wound that exposes the bone through the skin.

• Closed fracture (also called simple fracture). The bone is broken, but the skin is intact.

Fractures have a variety of names. Below is a listing of the common types that may occur in children:

• Greenstick. Incomplete fracture. A portion of the bone is broken, causing the other side to bend.

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• Transverse. The break is in a straight line across the bone.

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• Spiral. The break spirals around the bone; common in a twisting injury.

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• Oblique. Diagonal break across the bone.

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• Compression. The bone is crushed, causing the broken bone to be wider or flatter in appearance.

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• Comminuted. The break is in three or more pieces.

What causes a fracture?

Fractures occur when there is more force applied to the bone than the bone can absorb. Bones are weakest when they are twisted.

Breaks in bones can occur from falls, trauma, or as a result of a direct blow or kick to the body.

A child's bone differs from adult bone in a variety of ways:

• A child's bone heals much faster than an adult's bone. The younger the child, the faster the healing occurs.

• Bones are softer in children and tend to buckle or bend rather than completely break.

• Children have open growth plates, also called epiphysis, located at the end of the long bones. This is an area where the bone grows. Injury to the growth plate can lead to limb length discrepancies or angular deformities.

What are the symptoms of a fracture?

The following are the most common symptoms of a fracture. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the injured area

• Swelling in the injured area

• Obvious deformity in the injured area

• Difficulty using or moving the injured area in a normal manner

• Warmth, bruising, or redness in the injured area

The symptoms of a broken bone may resemble other conditions. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.

How is a fracture diagnosed?

The doctor makes the diagnosis with physical examination and diagnostic tests. During the examination the doctor obtains a complete medical history of the child and asks how the injury occurred.

Diagnostic procedures may include:

• X-rays. A diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. This test is done to rule out any associated abnormalities of the spinal cord and nerves.

• Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan). A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.

Treatment for a fracture

Specific treatment for a fracture will be determined by your child's doctor based on:

• Your child's age, overall health, and medical history

• Extent of the fracture

• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

• Expectations for the course of the fracture

• Your opinion or preference

The goal of treatment is to control the pain, promote healing, prevent complications, and restore normal use of the fractured area.

An open fracture (one in which the bone exits and is visible through the skin, or where a deep wound exposes the bone through the skin) is considered an emergency. Seek immediate medical attention for this type of fracture by calling your local emergency number.

Treatment may include:

• Splint or cast. This immobilizes the injured area to promote bone alignment and healing to protect the injured area from motion or use.

• Medication (for pain control)

• Traction. Traction is the application of a force to stretch certain parts of the body in a specific direction. Traction consists or pulleys, strings, weights, and a metal frame attached over or on the bed. The purpose of traction is to stretch the muscles and tendons around the broken bone to allow the bone ends to align and heal.

• Surgery. This may be required to put certain types of broken bones back into place. Occasionally, internal fixation (metal rods or pins located inside the bone) or external fixation devices (metal rods or pins located outside of the body) are used to hold the bone fragments in place to allow alignment and healing.