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Paediatric fractures
FRACTURES IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS
If your child has fractured a limb, our orthopaedic and paediatric experts can help diagnose and treat them
About fractures in children
Fractures (broken bones) can be very common in children. Their bones are softer and not as fully formed as adults. As a result, there are a number of different types of fracture a child may have. Our paediatric orthopaedics can identify your child's injury and treat them accordingly.
Need to know
Symptoms your child may show if they have fractured a bone include:
- if a limb, wrist or finger is clearly not in normal alignment
- severe bruising/swelling around possible fracture area
- ongoing pain in the above areas
Your child's consultant will discuss their symptoms with you to help make a diagnosis. They will firstly carry out a physical examination. An X-ray will then help determine whether or not a fracture has taken place.
Your child's consultant will discuss their treatment options with you.
- Closed reduction a non-surgical procedure to reset the bone.
- For a finger fracture, after closed reduction a temporary splint or 'buddy' can then hold the bone in place.
- After closed reduction for a fracture of the arm or wrist, a plaster cast will protect and help the injury heal.
- In some cases surgery may be required. This is known as internal fixation. The use of pins, screws or a metal plate might be inserted to keep the bone in place whilst it heals.
Types of fractures in children
Buckle fracture
The bone bends slightly rather than a full break
Greenstick fracture
The bone breaks on one side only
Avulsion fracture
Chipped bone pulled away by a tendon or ligament
Growth plate
Fractures that take place wherever one bone joins another
Spiral fracture
An injury that occurs from twisting limbs
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.