Fractures Symptoms and Diagnosis | Seattle Children's Hospital

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Bone, Joint and Muscle Conditions

Fractures

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Symptoms of Fractures

Some signs of broken bones are clear – for example, when the bone breaks through the skin in open fracture. Other signs that a bone may be broken include:

  • Severe pain
  • Swelling, bruising or bleeding
  • Limb or joint looks out of place or the wrong shape
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Unable to move the part of the body that is broken

The most common locations for fractures in children are:

  • Elbow
  • Forearm
  • Thigh (femur)

When your child breaks a bone, they will have pain at the site of the break. It will be hard for them to move the body part that is broken. This pain and loss of movement is your cue to take your child to the doctor or the emergency room.

Fractures Diagnosis

First, we examine your child and take X-rays of the affected bone or bones. This helps us know how to treat your child.

Simpler breaks can be treated with a sling or a cast. More complex breaks may require surgery. Knowing when a child’s fracture needs surgery requires special education and experience with pediatric trauma.

Who Treats This at Seattle Children's?

Should your child see a doctor?

Find out by selecting your child’s symptom or health condition in the list below:

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Summer 2009: Good Growing Newsletter

In This Issue

  • Respecting Differences
  • Family Meals, Healthier Meals
  • The Risks of Bed Sharing
  • Be Sun Smart

Download Good Growing:
Summer 2009 (PDF)