Broken bones are very common and cause severe injuries that cause deformities and pain in young people and children
Bone fractures are the second most common cause of childhood deaths in American children and adolescents, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Broken bones may occur in many places and can be caused by a variety of things. Some bones may break without warning. Other bones may crack after an accident, injury, or trauma. When a child suffers a fracture, it is necessary to treat the fractured bone immediately so that it can heal properly.
Bones do not heal quickly. They take time to heal completely once they have broken. While some bones will recover fully within a few days, others may take weeks, months, or even years before they heal fully. A broken bone may leave a scar. While a scar may be noticeable to the person who suffered the fracture, it may be hidden or covered by clothing, making it hard to see.
Broken bones should be treated as soon as possible. Treatment varies based on how severely the bone has been injured. The first step in treatment of a broken bone is to immobilize the joint and limit its movement so that healing does not speed up. Once this step is completed, doctors may prescribe medications that slow down bone deterioration. These medications will usually come in the form of creams, pills, or ointments.
Surgical treatments also exist. In some cases, the broken bone can be surgically removed, but in many cases it is best to wait until it heals. In some cases, the bone can become infected with bacteria after it is removed, but with regular follow up visits to the doctor, this infection can usually be treated.
Sometimes a broken bone that has healed partially may have small amounts of bone fragments remaining in it
These fragments may be difficult to remove. If this occurs, doctors may use tools called micro-sutures to close the gap between the bone fragments and surrounding tissue so that they cannot separate from the surrounding tissue and further damage nearby tissue. Although this procedure may look like it is painful, it is considered painless and only lasts a short period of time.
In more severe cases, doctors may recommend that smaller, more localized fractures are removed through a procedure called arthroscopic surgery. This procedure involves removing the damaged bone through the armpit, which is connected to the surrounding body muscle. This surgery is a more invasive option than other types of surgery, but it is usually less painful than the surgical options.
Depending on the age of the child and their needs, doctors may also recommend that they be placed on a splint to keep them still while they heal. The splint is worn during the entire time the patient is recovering from their broken bone. This helps to protect them from further injury to the body. In the case of minor fractures, doctors may even suggest that the patient wear a brace for the duration of the healing process.
For children who are too young to wear braces, doctors may recommend using a splint during the recovery period. The splint serves as a protective cover to prevent the child from turning the ankle. This prevents further damage to the ankle bones and can reduce pain during the healing process. Because the splint is worn during the healing process, parents and caregivers are more likely to be in contact with the baby during this time.
In more severe cases, doctors may recommend physical therapy to help their patients use their bones again. Physical therapy can include activities such as balance exercises and stretching. The rehabilitation program for children at health site can also help with their problem areas. After a period of physical therapy, most children will be able to walk with minimal assistance.
Other options for healing broken bones include using a splint or wearing a splint after the broken bone has healed. If the child is still suffering from severe bone loss, doctors may recommend placing him on a plate surgically attached to the bone. They will be able to walk normally by wearing a splint to keep the bone in place.
Often the pain in children is much more intense than in adults. Some doctors prefer to avoid surgery if possible because it is a long recovery period. If the child does not have bone loss, doctors often recommend surgery only if the condition is too severe. While this option can be painful and costly, it is often the best option for treating children with minor injuries.