Elbow Fracture In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

An elbow fracture is a break in one or more of the bones that form your child's elbow joint. A joint is the area where bones meet. The elbow joint allows your child's arm to move. Your child may also have a Salter-Harris fracture, which is when a bone breaks through a growth plate.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Pain medicine: Your child may be given medicine to take away or decrease his pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you give your child his medicine.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine will help fight or prevent an infection. Your child may need antibiotics if he has breaks in his skin. Make sure your child takes his antibiotics until they are gone, even if he feels better.
  
  
• Give your child’s medicine as directed: Call your child's caregiver if you think the medicine is not helping or if he has side effects. Tell your child's caregiver if your child takes any vitamins, herbs, or other medicines. Keep a list of the medicines he takes. Include the amounts, and when and why he takes them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin when he is sick. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.

Follow up with your child's caregiver or bone specialist as directed:

Your child may need an x-ray of his elbow to check how well the bone is healing. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Help your child to rest:

Your child should rest as much as possible and get plenty of sleep.

How to care for a cast or splint:

Follow instructions about when it is okay for your child to take a bath or shower. It is important not to get the cast or splint wet. Before your child takes a bath or shower, cover the device with 2 plastic trash bags. Tape the bags to your child's skin above the device to help keep out water. Have your child keep his arm out of the water in case the bag breaks.

• Check the skin around your child's cast or splint daily for any redness or open skin.
  
  
• Do not let your child use a sharp or pointed object to scratch his skin under the brace or splint.
  
  
• Do not let your child push down or lean on any part of the cast, because it may break.

Elevate your child's elbow:

Use pillows to keep your child's elbow raised above the level of his heart as often as you can. This helps decrease swelling, and pain and improves blood flow. Elevation can also help the injury heal faster. While his elbow is elevated, have your child wiggle his fingers and open and close them to prevent hand stiffness.

Ice:

Use ice to help decrease swelling and pain. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and cover it with a towel. Put the ice pack on your child's elbow for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. Use the ice for as long as directed.

Physical therapy:

Your child may need physical therapy. A physical therapist will help your child with exercises to improve the movement of his elbow joint and arm. The exercises can also help make your child's arm bones and muscles stronger.

Wound care:

Follow instructions about how to care for your child's wounds after surgery.

Contact your child's caregiver if:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child's pain gets worse, even after he rests and takes his medicine.
  
  
• Your child has new or worse trouble moving his elbow.
  
  
• Your child has new sores around the area of his brace or splint.
  
  
• Your child's brace or splint becomes damaged.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's injury, treatment, or care.

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• Your child's elbow, arm, or fingers are numb.
  
  
• Your child's skin is swollen, cold, or pale (loses color).
  
  
• Your child has open skin areas on his elbow and arm that will not stop bleeding.

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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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