Q: What should I do if my child breaks a bone?
A: Children are active, adventurous and not always careful. That combination may lead to broken bones or fractures. Falling off a skateboard or bike, crashing down from the playground jungle gym or colliding with another soccer player are common scenarios leading to broken bones. Fractures frequently happen in summertime or on breaks when kids spend more time outdoors and increase activity time with friends.
With most severe breaks, your child will experience sharp pain and you’ll likely be aware that a bone is broken by sight. However, in many cases – especially if a fracture is small – your child may not feel pain at all. Children’s bones are also extremely pliable, which means a bone could bend rather than break. If an accident or injury occurs, it is best to be cautious and bring your child to an urgent care or emergency room for an x-ray. Without timely treatment for a fracture or break, such as a cast or splint, the bone will begin to heal itself but often in a compromised position.
That break of fracture could be happening in the room next door. Download the CHS app to get emergency room and urgent care wait times at your finger tips.
