Children are very active, injure themselves easily and sometimes break a bone. When it comes to fractures, however, they have an advantage over adults: because fractures in children grow together more quickly and usually without complications due to the still very active bone metabolism and better blood circulation. Moreover, in young children, the bone can break without destroying the periosteum. This injury is called a green wood fracture. This is because green wood is juicy and pliable and does not break completely apart when compressed. This is advantageous for the injury because the periosteum tightly encloses the fracture and the bone can heal together better at the fracture site.
How can you recognize a bone fracture?
It is not always very easy to find out whether the child has suffered a fracture in the fall or perhaps just a sprain. Sometimes only an X-ray examination can provide final clarity. If a fracture is suspected, the child should always be taken to a hospital for an X-ray. This is because if a fracture is overlooked, bone growth can be disturbed and bone or joint deformities can develop.
As a rule, a child has severe pain after a bone fracture and the area around the fracture is also extremely sensitive to touch. Swelling of the surrounding soft tissues develops, possibly associated with bruising. Due to the pain, the child spares the affected limb and moves it only to a limited extent. This in turn leads to a reduction in strength. The affected limb may have abnormal position or mobility, and occasionally a crunching sound occurs.
What to do.
- Reassure your child, keep him or her warm and secure.
- Make sure that it does not move the affected limb and try to immobilize it (for example, by re-padding with pillows in the case of a broken leg or triangular cloth in the case of a broken arm).
- Do not try to correct deformities on your own or set joints. Even splinting with sticks is reserved only for emergencies, when no medical help is expected for a long time.
- For neck and spinal injuries: These injuries are particularly dangerous (risk of paraplegia). The child must not be moved under any circumstances, especially the head must not be lifted! Try to fix the child in position with blankets and pillows. Call the rescue service.
- Open fractures: to prevent infection, cover the wound with sterile compresses.
- Closed fractures: Cool affected area.
- Call emergency medical services: for fractures in the lower extremity and pelvis. Here, there may be severe bleeding inward and there is a risk of shock. There is also a risk of shock in cases of suspected neck and spinal injuries or multiple fractures.
- In case of arm or hand fractures, immobilize the limb (triangular cloth from the first aid kit) and take the child to the hospital without haste.
