The simple definition of a fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone. Fractures and breaks are the same thing!! Fractures can be classified in many different ways depending on the type and position of the break in the bone. Most fractures in children can be treated with closed reduction and casting.
The following are the most common symptoms of a fracture. It is important to remember, however, that every child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms of a fracture may include:
• Pain in the injured area
• Swelling in the injured area
• Obvious deformity in the injured area
• Difficulty or refusal to use or move injured limb
• Bruising, redness, warmth of injured area
What causes a fracture?
Fractures occur when there is more force applied to the bone than the bone can absorb. Bones are weakest when they are twisted. Common causes of fractures include falls and trauma. Fractures in children are different than adult fractures in many important ways. First, children have growth plates (also called physes) located at the ends of every long bone. The physes are responsible for the longitudinal growth of a bone. Fractures can pass through the growth plate which adds a separate set of concerns.