Summer and life may be easy, but chances are your kids are playing hard. Injuries such as broken bones, also called fractures, tend to increase during the summer. Read on to learn more about how to prevent fractures and what to do if your child has broken a bone in this Q&A. Molly Meadows, MDpediatric orthopedic surgeon a Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
Q: What types of activities are most likely to cause a fracture?
To: The most common causes of fractures, especially in younger children, are not traditional team sports, but things like trampolines, bouncy houses, and monkey bars. In teenagers, we’re starting to see more fractures from contact sports, as well as activities like hoverboards and mountain biking.
Q: Is there anything parents can do to reduce the risk of injury during these activities?
To: I’m a big believer in letting kids continue to do the activities they love, but in a safer way. One of the biggest risks we see, especially with trampoline fractures, is when children who are younger are bouncing with much older children or their adult family members. I always recommend that toddlers and teenagers bounce at different times, and parents should try to limit the total number of people on the trampoline at one time.
Q: If your child is injured, how can you tell if he needs medical treatment right away or if he can recover on his own?
To: This is a difficult question for most parents. Of course, you don’t need to go to the doctor every time your child falls, but you also don’t want to miss anything that needs urgent treatment. It’s usually okay to wait overnight to see if your child gets better, unless:
Notice a visible deformity, if the bone does not appear straight or normal. Your child’s pain gets worse or he doesn’t want to play or participate in his favorite activities.
Q: Where should you take your child if you suspect a fracture?
To: If your child’s bone does not look normal or straight, take him to the emergency department. The ED can address the injury quickly and recommend the best place for follow-up care. If your child’s pain worsens but you do not notice any deformity, he can be consulted by his pediatrician or one of our specialists in pediatric orthopedics. Most pediatricians do not have the ability to apply a cast, and some do not have x-ray equipment in their offices, so a visit to a pediatric orthopedist may be the fastest way to get your child recover If your child’s fracture enters the growth plate, pediatric orthopedists have the specialized knowledge to treat the fracture and ensure that your child’s future growth is not affected.
Q: How can parents make sure their child recovers successfully from a fracture?
To: Fractures are very common in children, and children are excellent healers, so most fractures heal within a few weeks to a month and usually will not have a long-term impact on the child’s health. your child However, if your child has multiple fractures within a few months, we may recommend a more in-depth analysis of their bone health. Be mindful of activity restrictions set by your doctor while your child is in a cast, and after it comes off, make sure your child gradually returns to higher-risk activities. Wait at least a month before letting your child return to the trampoline, as your child’s bone is still vulnerable for the month or so after the cast is removed. And ask about a waterproof cast – it generally makes recovery easier when kids can swim and participate in other fun summer activities. Parents often ask me if eating or drinking more calcium-rich foods during recovery can help speed up bone healing. The answer is no, but it’s still important to have strong, healthy bones that come from a good long-term calcium and vitamin D intake.
Dr. Meadows is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. He sees patients in Pleasant Hill, in partnership with John Muir Health and in San Francisco.
For more information about Dr. Meadows and our team of pediatric orthopedists available to treat your child’s fracture in six Bay Area cities, call (844) 41-ORTHO (67846). Same day and next day appointments are available.
