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.
AFTER YOU LEAVE:
Medicines:
- Keep a list of your child's medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
- Give your child's medicine as directed: Always give your child's medicine as directed by his caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.
- Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's Syndrome. This could lead to brain and liver damage. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.
- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are over-the-counter medicines that may help your child's pain and fever. Ask your child's caregiver to tell you the right amount of medicine to give to your child, and how often to give it.
Ask your child's caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.
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.
Help your child to rest. Your child should rest as much as possible and get plenty of sleep.
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.
For more information: Having a child with an ankle fracture may be hard for your child and your family. Contact the following for more information:
- American Academy of Family Physicians
PO Box 11210
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
Phone: 1-913-906-6000
Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
6300 North River Road
Rosemont, IL 600184262
Phone: 1-847-8237186
Web Address: http://www.aaos.org/
CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:
- You have a fever (increased body temperature).
- 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.
Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
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.
