Accident Waiting
Children are more prone to injuries than adults. They just love to push their physical ability to the limit when they test their boundaries and explore the world around them. Fortunately, their bodies are also blessed with quick recovery and fast healing. The job of parents and pediatricians is only a supportive one, providing comfort and assistance during the healing phase.
Fractures
Fractures of the extremities are common in children, mostly because children are more reckless with their bodies than adults. At the same time, most fractures in children are less serious than in adults because young bones are more pliable; they can bend significantly before breaking.
The most common types of fractures involve the wrist and the collarbone. Children love to run around, but the faster they run, the harder they fall when they trip. Climbing also puts these young bones at risk for injuries. Trauma to the limbs is almost routine in children, and parents must decide when to bring their child to the doctor's office.
Almost all fractures require casting, with the exception of fingers and toes. Unless the injury has broken the skin, or circulation of the limb is affected, casting does not need to be done immediately. If your child's fingers or toes feel numb or cold, you have to bring him to the emergency room without delay. Sometimes a fracture can be so severe that the blood supply to the body beyond the injury is disrupted — an absolute surgical emergency.
Essential
Significant swelling at the site of injury that persists for more than a few hours is likely to be an indication of a fracture. If the area is simply bruised, the swelling and pain usually subside after a few hours. If your child refuses to use the limb due to pain a few hours after an injury, you should consider taking him to the doctor.
Most bones require six to eight weeks to heal completely, and that's the typical duration for a cast before it is removed. During the healing process, the bone specialist may wish to check on the progress of the fracture by taking X-rays through the cast. This is often done if the initial injury is severe.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are far more common than fractures in children because their bones are not as brittle while their ligaments are very stretchy. The good thing is that sprains and strains heal much more rapidly than fractures, and no rigid support system (such as a cast) is necessary during the healing process.
Fact
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which is a tough tissue connecting two bones. A strain is an injury to a muscle or the part of the muscle that attaches to a bone. One condition isn't necessarily more serious than the other — both conditions can range from mild to severe.
The most common place for a sprain is the ankle. If your child's foot lands on an uneven surface, the entire weight of the body forces the foot to roll to the side and twist the ankle joint. This is the most common mechanism for an ankle sprain. Other sprains can occur with a fall or a strong impact. A minor sprain causes some of the microscopic fibers in the tissue to unravel, but a severe sprain can cause a complete disruption of all the fibers in the connective tissue.
Muscle strain typically occurs when a muscle is stretched beyond its maximal length. The opposing muscle may be responsible for the overstretching, but a fall or collision (such as running into another person) is equally likely to cause the overstretching.
Immediate pain always follows a sprain, but the pain with a strain can be somewhat delayed. There may or may not be a bruise on the skin on the surface of the injured site, but function is almost always restricted as a result of the injury.
The mnemonic “RICE” is a good one to keep in mind when treating your child with a sprain or strain. It stands for “rest, ice, compression, and elevate.” Allowing enough recovery time for the injury is perhaps the most important aspect of managing a sprain or strain. Parents must remind their child that it requires a tremendous amount of patience and discipline to wait until the injury heals before resuming sports activities. Otherwise, the child is setting himself up for more serious injuries.
Question?
Is an icepack or a heating pad better after an injury?
Using a cold pack is always a good idea for an acute injury. Make sure that the cold surface is not in direct contact with the skin; otherwise, frostbite might occur. Heating pads are generally used for chronic injuries or arthritis, which usually occur in adults.
Recovery from a sprain or strain typically takes two weeks. At the end of the recovery, the child should slowly return to normal activity levels. If any discomfort or pain recurs, the child should stop immediately. This is the body's signal that the injury has not healed completely, and more time must be allowed for the body part to repair itself. Exercising through pain and a partially healed injury is foolish and dangerous.
Proper use of a compression bandage can provide additional support during healing. The additional support is not designed to allow the child to return to athletic activities prematurely but to protect the injured area during routine activities.
Elevating the extremity can reduce swelling and pain. In addition to elevation, taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, is a good idea to minimize swelling and promote comfort.
