Ankle Fracture In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• An ankle fracture (FRAK-chur) is a break in one or more of the bones in your child's ankle. The ankle is a joint formed where the tibia, fibula, and the talus meet. The tibia (shin bone) and fibula (smaller leg bone) are the two bones in the lower leg. The talus bone is the square flat bone at the top of the foot. An ankle fracture may be caused by twisting or upward bending of the foot. This often occurs in a fall, car accident, direct blow, or while playing sports. Bone diseases, such as rickets or osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), may also cause fractures in children.
  
  
• Your child may have pain, swelling, or bruising in the injured ankle. Your child's foot may look deformed and he may have trouble walking or putting any weight on his ankle. Ankle fractures may be diagnosed using an x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scan. Your child's broken ankle may need a cast or even surgery as treatment. With proper treatment and care, your child may be able to resume his normal activities. Ask your caregiver about these tests and treatments.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your child's medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list and the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Give vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Ask before you change or stop giving your child his medicines.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.
  
  
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen: These medicines are given to decrease your child's pain and fever. They can be bought without a doctor's order. Ask how much medicine is safe to give your child, and how often to give it.

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

Activity:

• You may put an ice pack on your child's injured ankle to decrease swelling, pain, and redness. An ice pack may be made by putting crushed ice in a plastic bag or ice bag and wrapping it with a towel. Do not put ice directly on your child's skin or let your child sleep on the ice pack. Frostbite can occur if ice is placed directly on the skin for a period of time.
  
  
• Have your child sit or lie down whenever possible. Have him raise his foot above his heart. This helps decrease both pain and swelling.

Your child may need more rest than he realizes while he heals.

Quiet play will keep your child safely busy so he does not become restless and risk injuring himself. Have your child read or draw quietly. Follow instructions for how much rest your child should get while he heals.

Cast care:

Caregivers may put a cast on your child's foot and leg. This will keep his foot bones from moving while they heal. It may also be used to decrease pain. A cast is made of plaster or fiberglass. Ask your caregiver for more information on cast care.

Using crutches or a cane:

Your child may need to use crutches or a cane. It is important to use crutches or a cane correctly. Ask caregivers for more information about how to use crutches.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• There are new blood stains or a bad smell coming from under the cast.
  
  
• Your child has more pain or swelling than he did before the cast or splint was put on.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's injury, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child has increased pain that does not go away.
  
  
• Your child's cast breaks or gets damaged.
  
  
• Your child's leg or toes feel numb.
  
  
• Your child's skin or toenails below the injured foot become swollen, cold, or turn white or blue.
  
  
• Your child's splint or cast becomes soaked with blood.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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