Wrist Fracture In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A wrist fracture is a break in one or more of the bones in your child's wrist.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.

RISKS:

An injury to the wrist may cause other problems. If left untreated, the bones may not go back to how they were before. The injured wrist may become stiff or deformed. Your child may have problems with hand movement or grip strength. It may also cause decreased blood supply to the wrist and hand. If the fracture has an open wound, your child may get an infection. Call your child's caregiver if you have concerns about your child's fracture, medicines, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that your child may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your child's medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done to your child. Make sure all of your questions are answered.

Emotional support:

Stay with your child for comfort and support as often as possible while he is in the hospital. Ask another family member or someone close to the family to stay with your child when you cannot be there. Bring items from home that will comfort your child, such as a favorite blanket or toy.

Medicine:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help prevent or treat an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Tetanus shot: This is medicine to keep your child from getting tetanus if the fracture also has an open wound. It is given as a shot. Your child should have a tetanus shot if he has not had one in the past 5 to 10 years. Your child's arm can get red, swollen, and sore after he gets this shot.

Tests:

Your child may have one or more of the following:

• Computerized tomography scan: This test is also called a CT or CAT scan. This is a type of x-ray that uses a computer to take pictures of your child's forearm, wrist, and hand. Your child may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help caregivers see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your child's caregiver if your child is allergic to shellfish or has other allergies or medical conditions.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging scan: This test is also called an MRI. The test uses magnetic waves to take pictures of your child's forearm, wrist, and hand.
  
  
• Bone scan: During this test, pictures are taken of your child's bones. Your child is given a small, safe amount of radioactive dye in an IV. Caregivers can look at the pictures for broken bones, infection, or cancer in the bones.

Treatment options:

• Ice: A caregiver may use ice on your child's wrist to decrease your child's swelling, pain, and redness.
  
  
• Cast or splint: Your child may need to wear a splint or cast to keep the bones from moving while they heal.
  
  
• Surgery: During surgery, wires, screws, or metal plates may be used to hold the broken bone parts in the correct place. A new bone may also be placed into spaces between or around the fracture. The bone may be taken from another part of your child's body or from a donor.

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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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