If your child has accidentally developed a fracture in his/her arm, you need to go for emergency treatment without any delay and after that physician’s evaluation for physical examination. If you share with the doctor the details of the accident, only then the physician will be able to help you in reaching for the maximum relief for a small child. Doctors will first ask about the initial symptoms and probably signs behind the fracture (which could be a deformity or swelling in the area). In the meanwhile, any disruption or damage to the blood vessel can also be one of the symptoms.
Normally, X-rays are the preferred method used by the physician to come up with the causes behind arm fracture. In the initial phase, two views of the fracture are taken and seen for abnormal or apparent fractures. In other cases, CT scans or even MRI can be done instead of an x-ray to view in detail.
Preferred Home treatment for the child arm fracture
You must provide immediate first aid to a child at home in case of any injury. This could be done by stabilizing it with the help of a sling or a towel. You have to provide support to the injured arm by moving it around the neck or hanging with an arm. You also have an option of using newspaper by wrapping it around the swelled arm and firm it with the help of tape.
You can also apply an ice cube to an affected area. Make sure to cover the ice cube with a cotton cloth or a towel and never touch skin with the bare cube. Immediate icing doesn’t let the arm to swell and also reduces pain. An easy method is to cover the ice in a bag and then put it on an affected arm for some 20 to 30 minutes. You can repeat the process 3 to 4 times a day.
Medical Treatment
For medical treatment, you need to see who covers under the outpatient category and who needs to be admitted to the hospital. In most instances, the broken arm can be managed in the emergency room category. Otherwise, the doctor will evaluate and then decide the treatment. Read more about effective child arm fracture treatments here: https://sgbonedoctor.com/our-services/paediatric-orthopaedics/
Some fractures require stability to the broken bone in the form of a partial cast or application of a splint. In case of shoulder fracture or upper arm, immobilisation within a sling can help in providing support to the affected area.
Apart from splinting the arm, the doctor may also suggest medicines for relieving pain and controlling swelling.
Some typical wounds which require medical attention and hospital admission are
- Any fracture which leads to damage to the nerves
- If there are any lacerations on the affected area of bone that has been exposed
- Any fracture causing damage to the blood vessels
- Any complicated fracture form involves either a joint or more than one breakage of a joint bone. Or any wound which cannot be easily managed within the emergency department.
Follow Up Procedures
The follow-up procedures include:
- Keeping cast or splint dry as well as clean.
- Applying ice to the affected area 4 to 5 times for 20 minutes at least.
- Wearing any support in the form of brace, splint or sling.
- Keep arm in lifting position so swelling could be reduced. You can use a pillow or a chair for the same process.
- Take a pain killer as prescribed by the medical professional in case the pain is unbearable.
Kids are not easy to handle and any injury to them means pain, weeping and irritation. Go for medical help immediately in case of any fracture in the child’s arm so any long term issue could be avoided.