Welcome to the Ahmanson Foundation Fracture Center at LuskinOIC

A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Fractures

“Fracture” is another way of saying “broken bone.” When a child experiences a fracture, it’s different than when an adult breaks the same bone.

In pediatric fractures, areas of cartilage called “growth plates” can be damaged. If the fracture isn’t properly treated, damage to the growth plates can cause the bones to grow unevenly or not grow at all. That’s why it’s important to have your child seen by an expert who specializes in treating pediatric fractures.

A Few Things to Know about Your Child’s Fracture

Fractures aren’t just painful for kids, they can be discouraging. Having to miss out on sports or other fun activities while they’re healing can leave a child feeling isolated and sad. Here are some facts about fractures that are good to know.

1. Your Child Is in Good Company
Fractures are common in childhood. About 1 in 3 otherwise healthy children suffers a bone fracture.² With correct treatment, most kids don’t require surgery and can heal quickly.

2. The Biggest Cause is Hands Down…
Kids putting their hands down to break a fall is one of the most common reasons why most pediatric fractures are in the wrist, fingers and forearm.

3. Looking on the Bright Side
Most childhood fractures don’t require surgery. Reasons to help you stay positive are:

• Pain should lessen every day
• Pediatric fractures tend to heal quickly

4. Children Have an Advantage
Young bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones, which means they absorb shock better. A child’s fracture might not be as severe as an adult’s would be.

5. Take a Timeout
Pediatric fractures need time to rest and heal. Even after your child is out of their cast, they still might need to reduce their activities. But with enough rest, the bone will have time to get back into top shape.

Types of Fractures

• Stable or Nondisplaced: In this type of fracture, the ends of a broken bone are still aligned and not too far out of place.
• Displaced: The bones are out of place and may need to be put back in place.
• Open: In this fracture, the skin is pierced and the bone might be visible.
• Comminuted: The bone has shattered or split into several pieces.

Get more detail on some of the common fractures that occur with children:

• Wrist Fractures
• Elbow Fractures

Comprehensive Treatment for Pediatric Fractures

As LA’s experts at treating broken bones in children, our care begins with diagnosis and spans the entire recovery process. This includes:

• Initial treatment at LuskinOIC’s Pediatric Orthopedic Urgent Care Center
• Once a fracture is suspected, specialized care at the Ahmanson Foundation Fracture Center at LuskinOIC
• Onsite diagnostic tests and imaging, including X-rays
• Non-surgical and surgical treatment
• Casting and cast care, if needed
• Physical rehabilitation, if needed
• Follow-up care throughout recovery, including the use of telehealth

What Causes Fractures?

There are many different causes. Here are some of the most common:

• Trauma: Falls, accidents, and recreational or sports injuries, like a football tackle, can cause trauma fractures. 
• Overuse: Also known as a stress fracture, this type of injury develops due to repetitive motions. For example, runners can suffer stress fractures in the bones in their feet.
  

What Are Common Signs of Fractures?

Besides pain at the injury site, signs that your child might have a fracture include: 

• Inability to move the injured arm, leg or joint
• Swelling in the injured area
• Pain when walking or putting weight on the affected area
• Bruising or deformed shape at the injured area

The Best Treatment Starts With the Right Diagnosis

Many childhood injuries are minor and can be treated at home. However, if you believe your child may have a fracture, you should see a specialist as soon as possible to get properly diagnosed.

Here are the first steps to take after your child has been injured, and what you can expect when you arrive at the Ahmanson Foundation Fracture Center at LuskinOIC.

 1. Seek Medical Care Right Away

The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances are your child will be able to use their limb the way they did before injury. If you have a hunch that your child has a fracture, don’t assume it’ll get better with time or that you can treat it at home. Get medical care immediately. If your child is experiencing any of the common fracture signs and symptoms, take them to LuskinOIC’s Pediatric Orthopedic Urgent Care Center. Emergency rooms, primary care physicians, and even pediatricians aren’t always well-prepared to diagnose and treat pediatric orthopedic injuries.

Our specialists are dedicated to pediatric orthopedics. We’ll be able to support you and your child throughout the entire course of treatment—from diagnosis to their return to sports, school and everything else.

2. Know What to Expect for Fracture Diagnosis

Here’s what you and your child can expect when being seen for a suspected fracture:

• Vitals: A team member will take your child’s vital signs, such as temperature and blood pressure.
• Examination: One of our fracture specialists will talk to you and your child. They will want to know more about the injury, such as how it occurred, and what type of pain it is causing. They might also touch or press on the injured area to get a better idea of the injury.
• X-rays: An X-ray technician will take images of your child’s bone.
• Diagnosis: After performing the physical exam and looking at the X-rays, our specialist will determine the exact type of injury.
• Treatment: Once properly diagnosed, an appropriate treatment plan will be developed based on your child needs.

3. Understand the Goals of Treatment

Your child’s treatment plan will have three main goals:

• Reduce pain
• Line up the broken bone and set it correctly
• Help your child regain normal range of motion in the injured area

Without the right treatment, there’s a chance your child could lose range of motion, develop arthritis, chronic pain or develop a permanent deformity or disability.

Here’s what to expect during treatment to ensure optimal recovery:

• After diagnosis, the bone will need to be stabilized and protected. If the bone is out of place, our specialists will realign the bone first. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, our specialist might recommend a brace, splint or cast.
• A cast plays a crucial role in protecting a fracture while it heals. It also helps reduce pain, swelling and muscle spasms. If your child is fitted for a cast, there are important steps to taking care of the cast and things to know about what a child can and can’t do while wearing a cast. Learn more about  cast care.
• Next, our specialist may prescribe pain medication, physical therapy and discuss timing for a follow-up appointment. It’s important for your child to follow all instructions to avoid prolonging healing.

What to Expect on The Road to Recovery

The Three Stages of Fracture Healing

1. The body protects the broken bone. A blood clot and callus form around the fracture site.
2. New bone cell growth begins. New groups of bone cells grow toward each other from either side of the fracture.
3. The fracture line closes up.  The body absorbs the protective callus.

Healing Time Can Vary

Here are some of the factors that affect the time it takes a fracture to heal: 

• Children’s bones typically heal faster than adult bones
• The severity of the fracture can impact healing time
• Getting the right nutrition, like lots of calcium, might help a bone heal faster
• Some chronic medical conditions, like diabetes, can slow down healing