A broken (fractured) bone requires emergency care. Suspect a
possible broken bone if your child heard or felt a bone snap,
if your child has difficulty moving the injured part, or if the
injured part moves in an unnatural way or is very painful to the
touch.
A sprain occurs when the ligaments, which hold bones together,
are overstretched and partially torn. Simply overstretching any
part of the musculature is called a strain. Sprains and strains
generally cause swelling and pain, and there may be bruises around
the injured area. Most sprains, after proper medical evaluation,
can be treated at home.
What to Do:
For a Suspected Broken Bone:
- If the injury involves your child's neck or back,
do not
move him unless the child is in imminent danger. Movement can
cause serious nerve damage. Phone for
emergency medical help
. If your child must be moved, the neck and back must be
completely immobilized first. Keeping your child's head,
neck, and back in alignment, move the child as a unit.
- If your child has an open break (bone protrudes through the
skin) and there is severe
bleeding
, apply pressure on the bleeding area with a gauze pad or a clean
piece of clothing or other material. Do not wash the wound or try
to push back any part of the bone that may be sticking out.
- If your child must be moved, apply splints around the injured
limb to prevent further injury. Leave the limb in the position
you find it. The splints should be applied in that position.
Splints can be made by using boards, brooms, a stack of
newspapers, cardboard, or anything firm, and can be padded with
pillows, shirts, towels, or anything soft. Splints must be long
enough to extend beyond the joints above and below the
fracture.
- Place cold packs or a bag of ice wrapped in cloth on the
injured area.
- Keep your child lying down until medical help arrives.
For a Suspected Sprain or Strain:
- If the injury involves your child's neck or back,
do not
move him unless the child is in imminent danger. Movement can
cause serious nerve damage. Phone for emergency medical help. If
your child must be moved, the neck and back must be completely
immobilized first. Keeping the head, neck, and back in alignment,
move your child as a unit.
- It may be difficult to tell the difference between a sprain
and a break. If there is any doubt whatsoever,
phone your child's doctor
or take your child to the nearest hospital emergency department.
An X-ray can determine whether a bone is broken.
-
First aid
for sprains and strains includes rest, ice, compression, and
elevation (known as RICE).
-
Rest
the injured part of the body.
- Apply
ice
packs or cold compresses for up to 10 or 15 minutes at a time
every few hours for the first 2 days to prevent swelling.
- Wearing an elastic
compression
bandage (such as an ACE bandage) for at least 2 days will
reduce swelling.
- Keep the injured part
elevated
above the level of the heart as much as possible to reduce
swelling.
-
Do not
apply heat in any form for at least 24 hours. Heat increases
swelling and pain.
- Your child's doctor may recommend an over-the-counter
pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: May 2005
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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