Exercises
The exercises vary of course depending on the location of the fracture, but are generally the same. First, the child should learn to move the broken limb again without fear, appropriately and correctly, then the load on the broken limb is trained again. At the end of the therapy, the pain-free, safe and fear-free use of the limb in everyday life is trained.
Using the example of a broken forearm, the following exercise program could be carried out: Both hands are placed on a large gymnastics ball. The elbows are bent. Now the child should push the ball forward away from him or herself with the hands.
The upper body remains stable. The child must stretch the elbows to push the ball forward. At first the healthy side can help, later the movement can only be performed with the affected side.
The exercise can also be performed against resistance by pushing the ball against a wall. This represents an increase in the exercise and should only be performed when the fracture is stable under load. There is a large number of different exercises that should be individually adapted to the child and can also be varied. The child should enjoy the exercises, but should also be able to perform them safely and properly. You can find more information and exercises here for easy strengthening of the muscles:
- Theraband
- Exercises with the Theraband
- Physiotherapy exercises
- Eccentric training
Healing time
The child’s organism is much more flexible and active. Its ability to regenerate is enormous. For example, hairline fractures on a baby’s lower leg only need about 1-2 weeks until they heal.
In the first years of life, a fracture needs about 2-4 weeks, with increasing age the healing time is extended. In adolescents, a fracture takes about 4-6 weeks to heal. The healing time depends on the general state of health, concomitant diseases and fracture treatment.Individual observation is necessary. Operated fractures usually heal faster than fractures treated conservatively.
