Wrist Fracture In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A wrist fracture (FRAK-chur) is a break in one or more of the bones in your child's wrist. The wrist is formed by the carpal bones and bones at the end of the forearm (radius and ulna). The forearm is the lower part of your child's arm, extending from the elbow to the wrist. The carpal bones are eight small bones arranged into two rows and connect your child's forearm to his hands. They help greatly with hand movements. The wrist is usually broken by a fall on an outstretched hand in an attempt to stop the fall. A wrist fracture may happen when playing sports, especially when swinging a racquet, bat, or club over a long period of time. It may also be caused by a direct blow.
  
  
• Your child may have pain, swelling, and bruising in the injured wrist. Your child's wrist may look deformed and he may have trouble moving his wrist, hand, or fingers. An x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scan, or bone scan may be used for diagnosis. Your child's broken wrist 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.

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.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give medicine to decrease your child's pain. Tell a caregiver if your child's pain does not go away or comes back after taking this medicine. Pain medicine can have side effects. Tell a caregiver if your child has trouble breathing, is very sleepy, or has an upset stomach. Tell a caregiver if your child is allergic to any medicine.

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.

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

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. A sling may be used to support your child's arm.

• 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 wrist 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.

Physical therapy: Caregivers may want your child to have physical therapy. A physical therapist will help him with special exercises. These exercises will help make your child's bones and muscles stronger.

For more information: Having a child with a wrist fracture may be hard for your child and your family. It may make things difficult for both your child and your family to continue your usual activities. 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:

• Your child has 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 of the affected wrist that does not go away.
  
  
• Your child's cast breaks or is damaged.
  
  
• Your child's arm or hand feels numb.
  
  
• Your child's skin or fingernails below the injured wrist, 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.

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