Hand Fracture In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A hand fracture (FRAK-chur) is a break in any of the bones in the hand. A break in the bone that connects the wrist to the little finger is also known as a boxer's fracture. A broken hand may happen while playing a sport, such as rollerblading, skateboarding, or skiing. Fractures may also be caused by a fall, a crushing injury, or badly twisting or bending the hand in the wrong way. Hitting something hard with a closed fist may also cause a hand fracture.
  
  
• Your child may have pain, swelling, or bruising in the injured hand. Your child's hand may look deformed and he may have trouble using or moving his hand. Hand fractures may be diagnosed using an x-ray. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scan may also be used. Your child's broken hand may need a splint, cast, or even surgery as treatment. With treatment, such as a cast, surgery and medicine, complications may be prevented and your child may resume his normal activities.

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.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Your child may need medicine to take away or decrease pain. Know how often your child should get the medicine and how much. Watch for signs of pain in your child. Tell caregivers if his pain continues or gets worse. To prevent falls, stay with your child to help him get out of bed.

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.

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 or splint care:

Caregivers may put a cast or splint on your child's hand, wrist, and lower arm. This will keep his broken bones from moving while they heal. It may also be used to decrease pain. A cast or splint is made of plaster or fiberglass.

• Your child may take a bath when your child's caregiver tells him it is OK. It is important not to get the cast or splint wet. Before bathing, cover the cast or splint with two plastic trash bags. Tape the bags to your child's skin above the cast to seal out the water. Have your child keep his arm out of the water in case the bag breaks. If a plaster cast gets wet and soft, call your child's caregiver. You can dry the wet part of the cast using a hair dryer set on low or no heat.
  
  
• Follow these instructions if your child has a cast:
  
  
  • Check the skin around the cast every day. You may put lotion on any red or sore areas.
    
    
  • Do not let your child scratch the skin under the cast by putting a sharp or pointed object inside the cast.
    
    
  • Do not let your child push down or lean on any part of the cast because it may break.
  
  
• Follow these instructions if your child has a splint:
  
  
  • If your child's splint is too tight, his fingers may be numb or tingly. Gently loosen the tape so that his fingers are comfortable.
    
    
  • Do not let your child push down or lean on any part of the splint because it may break.

Ice:

A caregiver may use ice on your child's hand to decrease your child's swelling, pain, and redness. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and wrap it with a towel. Place the ice bag on the cast or splint for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as long as he needs it. If ice is put on the injured area for too long or if it is slept on, it may cause frostbite.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• There are new blood stains or a bad smell is 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, surgery, or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child has increased pain of the affected hand that does not go away.
  
  
• Your child's cast breaks or gets damaged.
  
  
• Your child's hand or forearm feels numb.
  
  
• Your child's skin or fingernails on the injured hand 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.

Learn more about Hand Fracture In Children (Aftercare Instructions)