Unfortunately, it is not always easy to know if your child broke his/her bone after a fall. A child may scream and scream and scare parents out of their wits, and later it may be discovered that there were no broken bones. On the other hand, your child may make no significant sounds, and soon after, you may find that there was a broken bone. Now you may ask, how will I know if a bone has been broken? Good question. The following may help you decide what to do.
If you have any doubts, it is wise to go to a doctor, and have an X-ray taken of the part where you suspect is fractured. You have a good reason to suspect that something is not exactly right with your child if the limb is cold, blue or numb. If the pain is in the pelvis or thigh, this can be a very good indication that there is a fracture. Another good test to know if there is a fracture of a bone or not is to look and see if the bone is crooked.
It is also good to know if the injury was caused by a severe blow or by something more mild. Here is where it is important to use your own judgment. If you were not present when the accident occurred, a child can exaggerate the experience.
If you suspect that there might be a broken bone, the involved limb should be protected and rested for at least 48 hours. In order to do a good job, it is important to rest the bone effectively. In order to do this, the bone should be immobilized. For example, if you suspect a fracture of the lower arm, a splint should prevent the wrist and elbow from moving. A splint can easily be made by folding a magazine or cardboard. A rolled up newspaper will also do if it is thick enough. It is extremely important when using this procedure that this “splint” is not too tight, otherwise circulation can be cut off. Give your child aspirin or acetaminophen for pain, and make certain that any movement is minimal.
Doctors will tell you that in the majority of fractures, the bone fragments are already aligned so this means that the prospect of having good healing is in the making. Some doctors also feel that if a child can rest for a short period, casting can take place one or two days later.
If by chance, there are no broken bones, home treatment can be fairly easy for the parent and the child. It is important to apply ice packs to decrease swelling and inflammation.
Source: Taking Care of Your Child, A Parent’s Guide to Medical Care by Robert Pantell,M. D., James Fries, M.D.,. and Donald Vickery, M.D