Such fractures are a consequence of obstetric care for foot or pelvic presentation of the fetus. Typical localization is in the middle third of the diaphysis of the tubular bone; along the plane, the fracture runs in a transverse or oblique direction.

Traumatic epiphysiolysis of the proximal and distal ends of the humerus and femur are rare. This circumstance, as well as the fact that X-ray diagnostics are difficult due to the absence of ossification nuclei, often lead to untimely diagnosis of these injuries.

In diaphyseal fractures of the humerus and femur with complete displacement of bone fragments, pathological mobility at the level of the fracture, deformation, traumatic swelling and crepitus are noted. Any manipulation causes pain to the child.

Fractures of the femur are characterized by a number of features: the leg is in the typical position of flexion in the knee and hip joints for a newborn and is brought to the abdomen due to physiological hypertension of the flexor muscles.

There are several treatment options for newborns with diaphyseal fractures of the humerus and femur.

In case of a fracture of the humerus, the limb is immobilized for a period of 10-14 days. The arm is fixed with a plaster splint from the edge of the healthy scapula to the hand in the average physiological position or with a cardboard U-shaped splint in the position of shoulder abduction to 90°.

It is not difficult to suspect a fracture in a child. Immediately after the injury, the baby feels sharp pain and cries. The site of injury rapidly swells and acquires a bluish tint. A characteristic sign of a limb fracture is its deformation. In addition, the child may become pale, sticky sweat appears, and body temperature rises to low-grade levels.

Nonspecific symptoms may occur with greenstick fractures. The child can maintain physical activity and there will be virtually no pain. Often, it is possible to determine the presence of a fracture only with the help of hardware diagnostics in a hospital.

To establish a correct diagnosis, the following methods are used:

• thorough questioning to determine the circumstances of the injury;
• an objective examination of the damaged body segment allows you to identify hematoma, swelling, pain, and disruption of habitual movements;

When examining the damaged area, pain, swelling and limited mobility in the joints are revealed.

X-ray is the gold standard for diagnosing fractures in children

Computed tomography is a method for diagnosing skull fractures and traumatic brain injury

Differential diagnosis is carried out with the following diseases:

• tuberculosis of bones and joints;
• hematogenous osteomyelitis;
• arthritis of an allergic nature;
• arthritis of an infectious nature;
• juvenile rheumatoid arthritis;

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by severe joint swelling

If a fracture is detected in a child, it is strictly forbidden to self-medicate. Therapy should only be prescribed by a qualified specialist. At the same time, parents should know how to provide assistance to the victim before the ambulance arrives. The algorithm of actions should be as follows:

1. Immobilize the damaged area using a splint. Any hard means at hand will do - a ruler, a board, a stick. As a last resort, you can roll up a magazine. If the tire turns out to be quite rough, wrap it in a bandage or towel before applying it. If a rib is fractured, a pressure bandage is applied.
2. It is necessary to ensure that the splint is applied above and below the fracture joints.
3. The splint should be carefully secured using a bandage. The bandage should not be too tight.
4. To relieve pain, the child can be given a drug based on ibuprofen or paracetamol.

In case of an open fracture, before immobilizing the damaged area, it is necessary to treat it with an antiseptic and stop the bleeding. It is advisable to carefully remove clothing from the area of ​​injury (it is better to cut it off).

In case of an open fracture, the doctor must clarify whether the patient has previously been vaccinated against tetanus.

For simple fractures without displacement, the prognosis of therapy is usually favorable. Children's bones heal quickly and their function is restored. The rehabilitation period in most cases does not exceed 3 months.

Displaced bone injuries require longer rehabilitation. It is often necessary to perform multiple surgeries to restore normal functionality to the injured area. The following complications are possible:

• injuries to nerves, ligaments and tendons;
• addition of a bacterial infection;
• improper fusion of bone, which leads to disruption of its functionality.

In most cases, if qualified assistance is provided in a timely manner, the child’s health condition is completely restored. However, unpleasant consequences of fractures are also possible. The most common complication is premature closure of the growth plate, resulting in deformed bone.

It is not always possible to protect a child from falls and injuries. But you can significantly reduce the likelihood of fractures if you monitor your baby’s diet. Food should be healthy and varied.

Physical activity is also of great importance. The child should regularly spend time in the fresh air and experience moderate physical activity.

The prognosis for treatment of fractures in children largely depends on the nature of the injury. Multiple injuries, crushed bones with complete loss of some areas complicate the situation. In severe cases, the following complications may develop:

• systemic reaction of the body to damage - traumatic shock;
• the body's systemic reaction to blood loss is hemorrhagic shock;
• wound suppuration;
• post-traumatic purulent inflammation of the bone - osteomyelitis;
• non-union of the fracture with the formation of pathological mobility of the bone area (false joint);
• formation of joint stiffness;
• limb deformity;
• shortening of the limb with the formation of lameness;
• death.

It is necessary to explain to children the rules of safe behavior on the street, at home in child care institutions, and in transport. Young children require supervision.

There should be no dangerous objects that could cause injury in the room where the child is located. Small children must be transported in a car using a special restraint device.

Parents should feed their baby foods rich in calcium and phosphorus, as well as foods high in vitamins and minerals.

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Of course, any person in his life is subject to such unpleasant phenomena as blows, bruises, dislocations, and fractures. The causes of these injuries are in most cases unsuccessful falls.

Childhood injuries are one of the first places in terms of frequency of cases, so in this article we will talk about what common causes of fractures in children are found, how to correctly assess the severity of the injury and how quickly the function of the damaged bone will be restored.

Medical statistics in traumatology practice show that fractures in children usually occur under everyday circumstances - fell at home, fell from a height, slipped on the street, jumped from a great height, landed unsuccessfully when falling from a bicycle, roller skates, etc.

The most common location of fractures in children is the bones of the forearm and elbow joint, followed by the bones of the lower extremities, in particular the toes. Unlike adult trauma, fractures in children in most cases occur without complications, which is due to the anatomical structure of the musculoskeletal system and the good ability of bone tissue to produce new osteocytes and heal.

The bones of a child contain a large amount of organic substances, in particular the protein ossein, which allows tissues to regenerate and grow together faster, unlike the bones of an adult.

The shell covering the bone from the outside - the periosteum (periosteum) is very elastic and dense, penetrated by a large number of blood vessels, and the bone itself has growth zones - metaphyses, which have plates of cartilaginous tissue. All these nuances of the structure of a child’s tubular bones make it possible to determine the specifics of fractures.

Table. Features of childhood fractures:

Important! The periosteum in children is supplied with blood much better than in an adult, therefore, in childhood, callus forms more quickly and the fracture site heals.

Fractures in children can be pathological or traumatic, with the latter being the most common. Pathological fractures occur with the progression of various diseases, under the influence of which bone tissue is destroyed or there is a severe deficiency of vitamin D in the body - in this case, even the slightest knock or minor bruise is enough to damage the bone.

Traumatic fractures develop under the influence of a strong mechanical impact on the bone, short-term but significant.

In addition, fractures in children can be:

• open– the injury is accompanied by rupture of soft tissues, protrusion of the bone outward and quite severe bleeding, often threatening the life of the victim;
• closed– the integrity of the skin is not broken, and the bone fragments are isolated from the outside world.

Closed fractures are uninfected, while open injuries are necessarily a high risk of developing serious complications due to infection entering the wound.

Depending on whether there was displacement of bone fragments, fractures are diagnosed:

• with displacement - they are distinguished between complete displacement, when the fragment is completely detached from the bone and goes to the side, and with incomplete - fragments are present, but they are securely fixed by the periosteum and are not separated from the injured bone;
• without displacement - the bone is broken and held by the periosteum or the fracture is complete, but also a section of the bone is held by the periosteum.

Depending on the line of bone fracture:

Depending on the type and structure of the bones, they are distinguished:

• fractures of flat bones - these include the bones of the skull, ilium, and scapula;
• fractures of tubular bones are the most common types of injuries;
• fractures of spongy bones - calcaneus, vertebrae, talus.

Important! When spongy bones are fractured, they become compressed and their height decreases – this type of fracture is also called a compression fracture.

Tubular bone consists of epiphyses - the heads of the bone, diaphysis - the body and metaphyses - cartilaginous inserts, the so-called growth lines, located next to the epiphyses.

Depending on the location of the fracture of the tubular bone, there are:

• diaphyseal fractures;
• epiphyseal;
• metaphyseal.

The clinical picture of fractures in children varies depending on the location of the injury.

There are general signs characteristic of a fracture or fracture of a bone:

1. Sharp pain – even if the fracture is not visually immediately noticeable, this injury in a child is accompanied by severe pain. The victim cries, is restless, and takes a forced position.
2. Limitation of mobility - since any attempts to move the injured limb cause pain to the child, he tries to limit them, which is clearly visible from the outside.
3. Swelling - swelling usually occurs at the site of bone damage, sometimes accompanied by a hematoma, which is caused by blood leaking from the bone cavity under the skin.

Important! Open fractures are easy to diagnose because the broken bone usually sticks out. This type of injury requires proper and immediate first aid, as it often causes massive blood loss and painful shock in the child.

The incidence of fractures of the pelvic bones is much lower than that of the tubular bones of the extremities, but this type of injury is much more severe and has a greater risk of complications. A fracture of the pelvic bones is accompanied by severe pain, severe pallor of the patient’s skin, and the inability to stand on his feet. Sometimes, from painful shock, the victim loses consciousness even before the ambulance arrives and attempts to provide him with emergency assistance.

A special group of fractures in children includes compression fractures of the spinal column, in particular of individual vertebrae. The main cause of this type of injury is a fall from a height onto the back. The insidiousness of a compression fracture of the spine is that the injury is difficult to diagnose, and all pain goes away on its own after 4-5 days.

Therefore, if you did not show your child to a traumatologist immediately after receiving a back injury, then with a high degree of probability the fracture will never be diagnosed, which is fraught with the development of many unpleasant conditions in the future, ranging from severe back pain to disorders of the nervous system due to compression of the spinal cord roots.

As mentioned above, the causes of frequent bone fractures in children of preschool and school age are, as a rule, household injuries caused by blows, unsuccessful falls, and landings from a height.

Predisposing factors to high bone trauma and bone fragility are the following conditions:

• lack of dairy products or fish in the child’s diet - often children categorically refuse milk, cottage cheese, kefir, fish, which leads to insufficient intake of calcium and phosphorus into the body - microelements necessary to strengthen bones;
• long-term therapy with hormonal drugs – prolonged use of hormones makes bone tissue fragile and the bone vulnerable to injury and damage;
• not frequent walks in the fresh air - in particular under open sunlight, since it is ultraviolet exposure to the skin that contributes to the production of a sufficient amount of vitamin D, which takes part in the formation of bone tissue cells and ensures the elasticity and strength of bones.

The causes of frequent fractures in adolescents are associated with increased intensive growth of the skeleton, as a result of which the bones do not have time to adapt to the changes that are occurring and cannot withstand the increased load. Plus, teenagers often actively engage in sports and at the same time eat irregularly and unbalancedly - all these factors together lead to fragility or insufficient strength of bones and the musculoskeletal system as a whole.

If you suspect a fracture in a child, then it is necessary to take the victim to the hospital - the doctor will assess the severity of the injury and prescribe adequate treatment with minimal consequences for musculoskeletal function in the future.

The main aspect of providing assistance to a victim with a fractured limb is to ensure its immobility so that the bone fragments do not move and injure healthy areas of tissue.

Below are instructions for providing first aid to patients with a closed fracture:

1. Give the victim an anesthetic - since a fracture is accompanied by severe pain, before proceeding with fixation of the limb, it is necessary to reduce the pain threshold in order to avoid the development of pain shock. For a child, preparations based on Nimesulil or Ibuprofen are ideal - Nurofen, Nimesil, Nemidar and others.
2. Securely fix the injured limb - this prevents bone displacement and injury from soft tissue fragments. If you don’t have any special devices at hand, you can fix the broken bone with two flat boards, wide rulers or plywood, tightly bandaging it. Important! Not only the broken bone should be fixed and immobilized, but also the adjacent joints, for example, in the case of a forearm fracture, the wrist and elbow.
3. Take the victim to the hospital.

A fracture with a violation of the integrity of the soft tissue requires special attention and caution in actions, since protrusion of the broken bone outward is accompanied by bleeding and a high risk of further complications.

If the wound is large and the bleeding is massive, you should quickly navigate and determine its type - venous or arterial, on which further actions will depend. With venous bleeding, the blood, which is a dark, rich red color, usually flows calmly. With arterial blood, the blood is scarlet, bright, gushes and quickly leads to life-threatening complications.

Important! In case of an open fracture in a child with bleeding, first of all, you should give an anesthetic and only then quickly proceed to other manipulations.

To stop venous bleeding, a tourniquet or tight bandage is applied to the victim below the fracture site, always including a note indicating what time and by whom these actions were carried out. In case of arterial bleeding, a bandage is applied above the fracture site with the same note, after which they begin to treat the wound surface and fix the limb.

Important! If there is no bandaging material or rope suitable for the role of a tourniquet at hand, then you can tear the clothes into strips or firmly press the place of the torn vessel with your fingers and wait for an ambulance - all actions must be quick, since the price of delay or panic is the life of the child.

Open fractures pose a threat of infection, so a mandatory condition for providing first aid to the victim is the administration of anti-tetanus serum. Treatment of fractures in children is usually carried out on an outpatient basis; hospitalization is required only if surgical reposition of the fragments is necessary.

The most common factors associated with fractures in children and adolescents are:

• lack of calcium in the body - this microelement is the most basic “building material” of bone tissue;
• unbalanced nutrition - for the full growth and development of the musculoskeletal system in children, they need proteins, microelements and vitamins, as a rule, all these components are contained in those foods that children do not like or eat in small quantities;
• insufficiently active lifestyle - modern teenagers and children prefer to spend their holidays playing computer games rather than in the fresh air, playing and playing sports;
• hormonal changes in the body - fractures in adolescents often coincide with a rapid growth spurt.

To avoid injuries and fractures in children and adolescents, parents should pay special attention to their lifestyle, nutrition and health, leading by example.

In order to increase the strength of bones and the musculoskeletal system as a whole, you need to follow simple tips:

• eat a full and balanced diet - if you do not know what is included in a balanced diet, seek help from a nutritionist or pediatrician;
• lead an active and mobile lifestyle;
• spend more time in the fresh air;
• During the period of intensive growth, do not overload the musculoskeletal system with increased physical activity.

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Bone fractures in children occur not only because of pampering; sometimes the fragility of bone tissue is to blame. Why does it occur, how to detect and treat it?

Our expert is pediatrician Anna Mikhailova.

Experts call this condition osteopenia, which means that bone mineral density is below normal. According to various studies, disorders of this kind are found in every third teenager aged 11–17 years.

There are four main risk factors:

Deficiency of calcium, the main “building material” for bone tissue.

Poor nutrition. In addition to calcium, bones need protein, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc and manganese, vitamins (from autumn to summer it is necessary to take vitamin-mineral complexes). And all these beneficial substances, as a rule, are present in those foods that children like the least.

Physical inactivity – to build bone mass, you need movement that loads and trains the bones.

“Hormonal storm”: calcium metabolism in the body is under strict control of the hormonal system, and during puberty, disruptions in its functioning are common.

The normal absorption of calcium is also “interfered” with many chronic diseases: gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, liver, kidneys, thyroid gland...

Loss of bone density develops slowly and gradually, it is impossible to notice it by eye. But there are five indirect signs that should alert parents.

The child's cases of caries have become more frequent.

“For some reason,” hair splits, nails peel and break.

From time to time there is pain in the legs, especially in the legs.

The schoolchild is slouching more and more, his back gets tired after a long time of sitting at homework or at the computer.

Your child is allergic, because of this he has dietary restrictions; he does not eat dairy products or fish.

Even one such symptom is a signal that the child needs to be examined and find out whether he really does not have enough calcium.

First of all, the pediatrician will prescribe biochemical tests of blood and urine, which can be used to determine whether phosphorus-calcium metabolism is impaired. These partner minerals are involved in many vital metabolic processes and work hand in hand: the body cannot absorb calcium if there is not enough phosphorus, but if there is an excess of the latter, calcium is excreted from the body. That's why it's so important to maintain their balance. By comparing the data with the standard indicators for a certain age and detecting deviations, one can suspect the initial stage of osteopenia.

To clarify the diagnosis, densitometry is performed: assessment of bone tissue (ultrasound is often used). Unlike adults, children are analyzed only by the so-called Z-criterion - that is, deviations from the norm in indicators depending on the age and gender of the young patient, which are calculated using a special computer program.

The process of formation of healthy bone tissue can be adjusted as the child grows. For treatment, medications containing calcium are prescribed.

There is a wide choice: for example, for the sake of prevention and in case of minor deviations from the norm, calcium supplements with vitamin D are prescribed. If a deficiency of not only calcium, but also some microelements is detected, complex preparations are used (they also include

manganese, boron, copper, zinc, magnesium).

Since the absorption of calcium is affected by some chronic diseases, children who have them are selected with special drugs, for example, for gastritis with high acidity, those that “protect” the process of its absorption from the aggression of gastric juice. The course of continued treatment is individual.

But medication alone is not enough. Treatment should be supported by a diet: cottage cheese, cheese, kefir or yoghurt, fish (salmon, sardines), meat, eggs, broccoli, bananas, and legume dishes are recommended.

And of course, you need to make time for sports: at least for regular visits to the pool or fitness room. Precisely regular, not occasionally. And if a child has poor posture or flat feet, it is necessary to undergo treatment under the supervision of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

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Almost every child, and therefore his parents, faces the problem of a fracture sooner or later. In order to correctly assess the severity of the situation and seek qualified help in time, you should be aware of the characteristics of fractures in children. Parents often underestimate the severity of the condition because some children are not very sensitive to pain; Some adults consider this almost the norm, explaining it by the child’s mobility. Is it that simple?

As is known from medical statistics, fractures in children account for about 15% of all injuries and injuries for which they seek qualified medical help. The problem is due to the peculiarity of the structure of the human body: the biological mechanics, anatomy and even physiology of a minor are very different from those inherent in an adult, since the body is actively growing and developing. Injuries accompanied by fractures, including violation of the integrity of the epiphysis, are an urgent problem of modern medicine. Updated approaches to refined diagnostics are being developed, and treatment strategies are being formed that would fully satisfy the characteristics of the case.

The key feature of fractures in children is the structure of bone tissue. The musculoskeletal system contains not only a fairly large amount of cartilage tissue, but is also distinguished by the presence of endplates, which an adult does not normally have. Such areas are called growth areas. Children's bones are characterized by increased strength and have a reliable periosteum, which forms callus in a short time. Biomechanical studies have shown the ability to absorb large amounts of energy. Scientists explained this by the porosity of the elements and low mineral density. The abundance of pores in bone tissue is associated with numerous large Haversian canals, due to which the elastic modulus decreases and strength decreases. Growth and maturation are accompanied by a decrease in porosity and thickening of the cortical block, which makes the skeletal system stronger.

Another feature of fractures in children is due to the attachment of ligamentous blocks to the bone epiphyses. Consequently, trauma to the limb can damage the growth site of the bone. The strength of the elements is ensured by the interweaving of annular blocks and mastoid bodies, but in any case, the growth area is characterized by relatively low strength. This is noticeable if we compare the anatomical features and qualities of the metaphysis, ligamentous fibers, and growth zones. Such areas are relatively resistant to tension, but are subject to the negative influence of torsional force. It is known from statistics that violation of the integrity of the growth plate is most often explained by angular influence or rotation.

Another feature of a fracture in children is the possibility of a displaced format, and the probability directly depends on the quality and parameters of the periosteum. The thicker this block, the lower the risk of closed reduction. After changing the position, it is she who is responsible for maintaining the fragments in the correct and stable state.

Fractures in children are accompanied by bone remodeling. The process is ensured by resorption of the periosteum, accompanied by the generation of new bone tissue. Anatomical reduction is only necessary in a limited number of cases. Many traumatized children do not need such an intervention at all. The regeneration process depends on several factors: age, location of the injury relative to the joint, and the presence of obstacles to its activity. Remodeling is determined by the potential ability of the bone to grow, and the lower the age, the greater the potential.

If the injury is localized near the growth block, recovery will require minimal time, especially when the deformity coincides with the articular axis of movement. An intra-articular fracture, in which areas have shifted, heals more slowly. Restoration of the diaphysis requires considerable time. Possible rotational injury or leading to deterioration of joint motility. These heal slower than others.

One of the characteristics of bone fractures in children is the risk of excessive bone growth. Regarding long bones, this is explained by the effect on growth areas - in this area, blood flow is activated, which is necessary for the restoration of damaged tissue. It is noted that a fracture of the femur in a child under ten years of age is often accompanied by lengthening of the bone by several centimeters in the next couple of years. To minimize the undesirable consequences of rehabilitation, it is necessary to combine bone fragments in a bayonet-like manner. For patients older than this age, excessive development is less dangerous, the process is relatively weakly expressed. If a fracture occurs, it is necessary to provide assistance by simply repositioning the blocks.

A feature of bone fractures in children known to doctors is the progression of deformation. Sometimes the injury is accompanied by damage to the pineal gland. As a result, the site may be closed by a few percent or completely. This leads to angular deformation and can cause shortening of the bone element. There is a possibility of both types of complications. The level of deformation depends on the specifics of the bone and is determined by the ability of the bone tissue to grow.

Studies have shown that fractures in children heal faster than in adult trauma patients. The reason for this is the ability of the child’s skeletal system to grow quickly and increase the thickness of individual blocks. The juvenile periosteum is the area of ​​localization of active metabolic processes. The older the person, the lower the healing rate.

Sooner or later, bone fractures in children become a problem for almost any family. The more restless the child, the higher the risk of serious injury. Parents must be aware of the manifestations of the problem and know how to provide first aid to the victim. In many ways, the speed and quality of the rehabilitation period depend on it. They determine what kind of help is needed at first, based on the cause of the fracture and factors that determine the specifics of the situation. However, the general tactics are the same for all cases.

From statistical observations it is known that the most common concern is a broken arm in a child; the incidence rate of foot fractures is half as high. If the injury is severe, it is immediately clear what happened, but more often children suffer minor injuries, and only a qualified doctor can diagnose correctly. Some do not pay enough attention to the situation, since the functionality of the affected limb, although impaired, is weak. You can easily confuse a fracture, a bruise, a dislocation. The first in the upper extremities are most often localized in the area of ​​the forearm and elbow joint.

If a fracture in a child (arm, leg or other part of the body) is observed in this form, it is necessary to give the victim rest and ensure immobility. This step is the first in providing emergency care immediately after an injury. Parents should put the patient to bed, then calm down, since chaotic panic actions will only harm the baby. A cold compress is applied to the affected area. This provides relief and helps reduce internal bleeding. The next stage is immobilization. The term refers to measures to prevent movement of the affected area. The limb must be kept elevated. The patient is then given an analgesic. Doctors recommend using medications containing ibuprofen and paracetamol. Other medications are prohibited until the doctor arrives.

Treatment of open fractures in children should be left to a doctor. The task of those near the victim is to provide first aid. A distinctive feature of the injury is an open wound, which means it needs to be treated as quickly as possible and prevent large-scale blood loss. To stop bleeding, the damaged area is covered with a thick bandage. If the area is dirty, clean it with soapy water. Next, a cold compress is applied, the victim is kept immobile, and an analgesic is given if necessary.

Taking into account the briefly described above features of bone fractures in children, the importance of providing correct first aid becomes clear, since unsuccessful measures and the lack of suitable treatment can negatively affect a person’s future, lead to skeletal asymmetry and other complications. The key relief measure is immobilization of the affected area. To do this, apply a splint. Any car owner's first aid kit is equipped with such a product. It must be at the disposal of the ambulance team. Parents, when providing first aid to an injured child, should prepare a splint from available materials. Finding something suitable is not difficult - just use a dense material to which the injured part of the body is attached.

As with a displaced fracture in a child, and without such a complication, the task of first aid providers is to find suitable means for immobilization. You can use thick cardboard or plywood. If you have a small board or stick on hand, these items will also work. If a very small baby is injured, it is better to use cardboard and wrap it in cotton wool. A bandage is used to fix the diseased area. It is necessary to stabilize the position of the joints above and below the affected area. There is no need to take off clothes or shoes. It is advisable to take wide objects for applying a splint - they are more reliable than narrow ones. If a limb is injured, it is necessary to fix it in its current position, without adjusting it to a more familiar one or one that seems comfortable or correct from the outside. It is strictly prohibited to adjust the affected block of the support system - this will be done by a doctor.

If a displaced fracture occurs in a child, if the injury is not accompanied by displacement, it is necessary to call a doctor as soon as possible. If the situation occurred when the family was in a populated area where it is possible to call an ambulance, the limb may not be immobilized. Parents need to urgently seek medical support, and while waiting for the car with doctors, guarantee the victim peace and immobility. Do not touch the sore area.

There is a situation when a child is injured, but the elders do not have anything suitable for applying a splint at hand. You need to tape the painful area to a healthy part of the body.

One of the features of the treatment of fractures in children is a strict ban on heating and rubbing the affected area. Parents must monitor the behavior of the victim: he must not move. Under no circumstances should the injured person be forced to move or encouraged to move. It would be dangerous to try to correct the zone on your own. Do not treat the area with gels or ointments.

The rules for providing primary care for both upper and lower extremity injuries are almost the same. If your hand is injured, you should additionally secure it with a scarf. If the injury is localized in the leg, such measures are not required. If damage to the femur or injury involving the pelvic blocks is suspected, four joints are immobilized instead of two.

Doctors, finding out the characteristics of fractures in children and adults, have found that when equal force is applied, an older person is more likely to be injured than a child. The support system in childhood is highly elastic, and its forming elements are flexible. To some extent, a fracture is similar to a broken tree branch. The fragments do not move, which means regeneration requires minimal time. The most difficult case to clarify is if the fracture is localized in the growth area. When examining a part of the body using X-rays, it is impossible to see the cartilage tissue, so identifying the fracture is problematic.

The high regenerative abilities inherent in the children's body are known. The callus is quickly replaced by the corresponding tissue. Comparing the characteristics of fractures in children and adults, it was found that in the former, areas of scarring appear much less frequently. It was found that in children who have received a fracture, it is possible to maintain an insignificant displacement - it will disappear on its own as the body grows.

It is customary to divide all cases into pathological and caused by trauma. The latter are usually observed in everyday life. In a child, fractures of the collarbone, limbs, and other parts of the body are provoked by blows, falls, and jumps. They are not uncommon during games and can be explained by twisting a leg or running for a long time. Pathological cases are provoked by diseases. These are observed in dysplasia, bone tuberculosis, and may indicate improper formation of bone tissue at the embryonic stage of development. A possible cause is a lack of calcium. Sometimes a fracture indicates an inflammatory process localized in the bone tissue.

All cases of injury are divided into open and closed (the general rules of first aid are discussed above). The dangers of the open form should not be underestimated, since damage to the skin is accompanied by the danger of infection of the body. In a child, a fracture of the collarbone, limb, rib or any other block of the support system is accompanied by ruptures, and the dimensions of the damage vary from case to case. Sometimes they are small, in others they are large, leading to the destruction of soft tissue. In addition to introducing dirt, there is a danger of crushing tissue. Cases of open fracture are divided into those accompanied by displacement and those without it. The first involves the movement of bone fragments to the sides, the second option is characterized by a stable position of the fragments in their original location. Fractures with displacement can be incomplete or complete. The connection of the fragments is partially broken, while the bone integrity is preserved - these are features of an incomplete fracture. The second option involves complete separation of the elements.

The main percentage of cases are isolated injuries, in which one segment is damaged. Less common are multiple, combined cases affecting several areas of the body.

The task of parents is to know the symptoms of a fracture in a child in order to call a doctor in time and provide first aid. There are general signs inherent in any injury of this type, regardless of location. All manifestations are divided into probable and reliable. The first category includes skin swelling, hematoma, pain accompanying movement, and palpation. The mobility of the hand, foot, and finger is impaired. Reliable manifestations include deformation of the area and crepitus. The term refers to a crunching sound heard due to the appearance of bone fragments.

Not long ago, the medical community became interested in the case of a child who often suffered from fractures. In just a couple of years, the seven-year-old child received three fractures of the upper extremities, which were not accompanied by preliminary pressure. Doctors were unable to find any prerequisites for bone fragility; the patient ate well and led an active life. Laboratory studies showed adequate concentrations of trace elements and minerals in the blood. The only questionable result of the study was the level of antibodies, allowing one to suspect celiac disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by gastroenterologists.

As studies have proven, a child is more likely to have fractures of the radius, collarbone and other parts of the body due to celiac disease than in the absence of this disease, since it affects mineral density. An interesting, reliable study was organized in 2011. It turned out that about a quarter of all people diagnosed with celiac disease had recently suffered a fracture.

Celiac disease is a pathological condition in which the functioning of the intestinal villi is impaired. The absorption function of the tract is inhibited, the body does not receive the necessary components. This leads to deficiency of iron, vitamin compounds, and folic acid. One of the features of fractures of tubular bones in children (as well as any other elements of the supporting system) is low density, which is caused by a lack of nutrients. Accordingly, celiac disease leads to decreased bone strength. In parallel, the level of inflammation increases, which also negatively affects the health of the supporting system.

Finding out the characteristics of fractures in children's jaws, limbs and other parts of the body due to celiac disease, doctors considered that the only reliable method of prevention is proper nutrition. It is necessary to completely eliminate gluten from the patient’s diet. As the researchers of the above-mentioned case noted, this measure applied to the child made it possible to avoid fractures for the next 3.5 years (exactly after the parents brought the child to the clinic for a preventive examination). It is noted that adjustment to a new nutrition system is not easy for children, but the results are worth it.

If we do not touch on the topic of rare congenital and hereditary diseases, we will have to admit: the main percentage of fractures in minors is due to industrial society and the characteristics of social interaction. It is not easy for children to learn to follow household rules and behave correctly in transport, which means that the risk of injury increases. Doctors involved in the diagnosis and treatment of fractures in children note: about 70% of all cases are caused by riding bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades. Many children ride where it is prohibited, jump in dangerous places, and fall. Even vehicles do not cause injury to minors as often as occurs due to domestic reasons. On average, the likelihood of injury due to transport is higher for an adult than for a child, but the severity of injury usually dominates in the latter. Studies have shown that on average per thousand children there are 248 people with bruises, 30 with dislocations and about 57 with bone fractures.

To understand how to distinguish these cases, it is necessary to consider their features, at least in general terms.

A bruise is a closed injury in which organs and tissues suffer, but the structure remains intact. The sections do not come off or rupture, but the integrity of the blood vessels may be damaged. The result is hematomas and bruises. Bruises are visually visible as purple spots, the shade of which gradually transforms to green and yellow. Usually the cause is a collision, fall, blow. The mobility of the diseased part of the body is preserved, but the area responds with pain. To help the victim, apply a cold compress to the area and provide rest.

Studies show that it is possible for an infant to get a fracture, but ligament sprains appear only in people over three years of age. The classic location is the ankle joint. The child makes an awkward movement, the foot turns under. This is possible when a person runs or walks. The risk is especially high when running up stairs. A sprain is indicated by acute pain, followed by possible swelling of the affected area. The skin tone sometimes changes to bluish, and palpation causes pain. Movements in the joint are possible, but the victim tries to spare the affected limb, so he practically does not lean on it.

Parents should apply ice to the affected area, secure it with an elastic bandage, and show the injured person to the doctor for an x-ray examination. There is a high risk of a bone fracture, with symptoms similar to a sprain. X-ray is the only way to clarify the condition.

The word refers to an injury in which the articular contour is disrupted. Most often the reason is a fall. Movement of the diseased area is limited, pain becomes stronger, and the ability to move is inhibited. The limb injured by the fall becomes longer or shorter than the limb. There is a possibility of deformation.

Parents should provide the patient with rest and secure the affected area with a splint or bandage. It is necessary to seek help from a qualified doctor. You can't fix a dislocation on your own.

Subluxation is very common in practice, with the elbow joint being a typical area. This is most often observed in children aged from one to three years. An adult holds the child's hand tightly, but the child stumbles, suddenly slips or falls, and this leads to injury. The moment is sometimes accompanied by a specific crunch.

With subluxation, the affected area responds with pain, the child does not move the limb, stretches it along the body, sometimes bends it slightly. If you rotate your forearm or elbow, the pain becomes especially severe. Parents should ensure peace in the affected area and take the patient to a pediatric traumatology department.

When considering the characteristics of bone fractures in newborns, infants, and older children, one cannot ignore cracks. This term refers to partial damage to bone tissue, a fracture that is not completed. It is not easy to identify him, since young children are unable to formulate complaints. From the outside, there is a general concern of the child. The risk of injury is especially high due to the child's light weight. If a child falls, the soft tissue somewhat weakens the aggressive influence, so the likelihood of a crack occurring is greater than a fracture.

An older child can describe the manifestations of the situation. The injured area is bothered by pain, especially severe during movement, palpation, and pressure. If you provide rest to the affected area, the pain dulls, the area pulsates, and in some it tingles. The tissues swell, and the symptom can progress quickly. The swelling will subside a day after the crack occurs or later. Often the area is marked with a hematoma. The victim's limited mobility is noticeable, which is explained by pain and swelling.

A relatively common diagnosis is a compression fracture. In a child (as well as an adult), this is due to compression of the elements of the spinal column. This is possible when falling, due to a blow to the back, somersault, or gymnastic practice. It is known that in children, muscles are sometimes stronger than the skeletal system. When they contract intensively, a compression effect is formed, affecting individual blocks of the column in the lateral projection. Functionality and sensitivity are not impaired, since there is no spinal injury, but the structure of the column is impaired. The clinical symptoms of the condition are often vague. At the moment of injury, the child catches his breath, the back gives off slight pain, while the child does not even pay attention to the manifestations and continues his games and activities.

Without adequate treatment, a compression fracture leads to complications. These are more common after years. The consequences of the situation include radiculitis, osteochondrosis, vertebral destruction and other similar pathological processes. To prevent the consequences, it is necessary to take the victim to the trauma department of the clinic at the slightest back injury, where they will take an X-ray, assess the danger of the condition and select a therapeutic program. Inpatient treatment is often indicated. Rehabilitation is accompanied by a special daily routine aimed at unloading the spinal column. This treatment takes quite a long time.

To correct a compression fracture, it is necessary to do therapeutic exercises. Swimming is recommended from the age of three. Without adequate support from the body, as you get older and gain weight, the risk of a hernia in the affected area increases.

Our expert - pediatrician Anna Mikhailova.

Risk factors

Experts call this condition osteopenia, which means that bone mineral density is below normal. According to various studies, disorders of this kind are found in every third teenager aged 11-17 years.

• Deficiency of calcium, the main “building material” for bone tissue.
• Poor nutrition. In addition to calcium, bones need protein, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc and manganese, vitamins (from autumn to summer it is necessary to take vitamin-mineral complexes). And all these beneficial substances, as a rule, are present in those foods that children like the least.
• Physical inactivity - to build bone mass, movement is necessary that loads and trains the bones.
• “Hormonal storm”: calcium metabolism in the body is under strict control of the hormonal system, and during puberty, disruptions in its functioning are common.

The normal absorption of calcium is also “interfered” with many chronic diseases: gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, liver, kidneys, thyroid gland...

The Cunning of the Invisible Man

Loss of bone density develops slowly and gradually, it is impossible to notice it by eye. But there are five indirect signs that should alert parents.

• The child's cases of caries have become more frequent.
• “For some reason” my hair is splitting.
• From time to time there is pain in the legs, especially in the legs.
• The schoolchild is slouching more and more, his back gets tired after a long time of sitting at homework or at the computer.
• Your child is allergic, because of this he has dietary restrictions; he does not eat dairy products or fish.

Even one such symptom is a signal that the child needs to be examined and find out whether he really does not have enough calcium.

Norm and deviations

First of all, the pediatrician will prescribe biochemical tests of blood and urine, which can be used to determine whether phosphorus-calcium metabolism is impaired. These partner minerals are involved in many vital metabolic processes and work hand in hand: the body cannot absorb calcium if there is not enough phosphorus, but if there is an excess of the latter, calcium is excreted from the body. That's why it's so important to maintain their balance. By comparing the data with the standard indicators for a certain age and detecting deviations, one can suspect the initial stage of osteopenia.

To clarify the diagnosis, densitometry is performed: assessment of bone tissue (ultrasound is often used). Unlike adults, children are analyzed only by the so-called Z-criterion - that is, deviations from the norm in indicators depending on the age and gender of the young patient, which are calculated using a special computer program.

Can we fix everything?

The process of formation of healthy bone tissue can be adjusted as the child grows. For treatment, medications containing calcium are prescribed.

Since the absorption of calcium is affected by some chronic diseases, children who have them are selected with special drugs, for example, for gastritis with high acidity, those that “protect” the process of its absorption from the aggression of gastric juice. The course of continued treatment is individual.

But medication alone is not enough. Treatment should be supported by a diet: cottage cheese, cheese, kefir or yoghurt, fish (salmon, sardines), meat, eggs, broccoli, bananas, and legume dishes are recommended.

And of course, you need to make time for sports: at least for regular visits to the pool or fitness room. Precisely regular, not occasionally. And if a child has poor posture or flat feet, it is necessary to undergo treatment under the supervision of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

Bone fractures in children

What are bone fractures in children -

The anatomical features of the structure of the skeletal system of children and its physiological properties determine the occurrence of certain types of fractures that are characteristic only of this age.

It is known that young children often fall during outdoor play, but they rarely experience bone fractures. This is explained by the child’s lower body weight and well-developed soft tissue cover, and therefore by a weakening of the impact force during a fall. Children's bones are thinner and less strong, but they are more elastic than adult bones. Elasticity and flexibility depend on the smaller amount of mineral salts in the child’s bones, as well as on the structure of the periosteum, which in children is thicker and richly supplied with blood. The periosteum forms a kind of sheath around the bone, which gives it greater flexibility and protects it from injury. The preservation of bone integrity is facilitated by the presence of epiphyses at the ends of the tubular bones, connected to the metaphyses by wide elastic growth cartilage, which weakens the force of impact. These anatomical features, on the one hand, prevent the occurrence of a bone fracture, on the other hand, in addition to the usual fractures observed in adults, they cause the following skeletal injuries typical for childhood: fractures, subperiosteal fractures, epiphysiolysis, osteoepiphysiolysis and apophysiolysis.

Breaks and fractures like a green branch or a willow twig are explained by the flexibility of bones in children. This type of fracture is observed especially often when the diaphysis of the forearm is damaged. In this case, the bone is slightly bent, on the convex side the outer layers are subject to fracture, and on the concave side they retain their normal structure.

Pathogenesis (what happens?) during bone fractures in children:

Subperiosteal fractures characterized by the fact that the broken bone remains covered with periosteum, the integrity of which is preserved. These injuries occur when force is applied along the longitudinal axis of the bone. Most often, subperiosteal fractures are observed on the forearm and lower leg; In such cases, bone displacement is absent or very insignificant.

Epiphysiolysis and osteoepiphysiolysis- traumatic separation and displacement of the epiphysis from the metaphysis or with part of the metaphysis along the line of the germinal epiphyseal cartilage. They occur only in children and adolescents until the ossification process is complete.

Epiphysiolysis occurs more often as a result of the direct action of force on the epiphysis and, according to the mechanism of injury, is similar to dislocations in adults, which are rarely observed in children. This is explained by the anatomical features of the bones and ligamentous apparatus of the joints, and the place of attachment of the articular capsule to the articular ends of the bone is of significant importance. Epiphyseolysis and osteoepiphysiolysis are observed where the joint capsule is attached to the epiphyseal cartilage of the bone: for example, the wrist and ankle joints, the distal epiphysis of the femur. In places where the bursa is attached to the metaphysis so that the growth cartilage is covered by it and does not serve as a place for its attachment (for example, the hip joint), epiphysiolysis does not occur. This position is confirmed by the example of the knee joint. Here, during injury, epiphysiolysis of the femur occurs, but there is no displacement of the proximal epiphysis of the tibia along the epiphyseal cartilage.

Apophysiolysis is the separation of the apophysis along the line of the growth cartilage. Apophyses, unlike epiphyses, are located outside the joints, have a rough surface and serve for attachment of muscles and ligaments. An example of this type of injury is displacement of the medial or lateral epicondyle of the humeral csti.

Symptoms of Bone Fracture in Children:

With complete fractures of the bones of the extremities with displacement of bone fragments, the clinical manifestations are practically no different from those in adults. At the same time, with fractures, subperiosteal fractures, epiphysiolysis and osteoepiphysiolysis without displacement, movements can be preserved to a certain extent, pathological mobility is absent, the contours of the injured limb that the child is sparing remain unchanged and only upon palpation is pain determined in a limited area corresponding to the fracture site. In such cases, only x-ray examination helps to make the correct diagnosis.

A feature of bone fractures in a child is an increase in body temperature in the first days after injury from 37 to 38°C, which is associated with absorption of the contents of the hematoma.

Diagnosis of bone fractures in children:

In children, it is difficult to diagnose subperiosteal fractures, epiphysiolysis and osteoepiphysiolysis without displacement. Difficulty in establishing a diagnosis also arises with epiphysiolysis in newborns and infants, since even radiography does not always provide clarity due to the absence of ossification nuclei in the epiphyses. In young children, most of the epiphysis consists of cartilage and is passable for x-rays, and the ossification nucleus gives a shadow in the form of a small dot. Only when compared with a healthy limb on radiographs in two projections is it possible to establish the displacement of the ossification nucleus in relation to the diaphysis of the bone. Similar difficulties arise during birth epiphysiolysis of the heads of the humerus and femur, the distal epiphysis of the humerus, etc. At the same time, in older children, osteoepiphysiolysis without displacement is easier to diagnose, since radiographs show a separation of the bone fragment of the metaphysis of the tubular bone.

Errors in diagnosis are more often observed with fractures in young children. Insufficient medical history, well-defined subcutaneous tissue making palpation difficult, and the absence of displacement of fragments in subperiosteal fractures make recognition difficult. Often, in the presence of a fracture, a bruise is diagnosed. As a result of improper treatment in such cases, curvature of the limb and impairment of its function are observed. In some cases, repeated X-ray examination, performed on the 7-10th day after injury, helps to clarify the diagnosis, which becomes possible due to the appearance of initial signs of fracture consolidation.

Treatment of bone fractures in children:

The leading principle is the conservative method of treatment (94%). In most cases, a fixing bandage is applied. Immobilization is carried out with a plaster splint, usually in the average physiological position, covering 2/3 of the circumference of the limb and fixing two adjacent joints. A circular plaster cast is not used for fresh fractures in children, since there is a risk of circulatory disorders due to increasing edema with all the ensuing consequences (Volkmann's ischemic contracture, bedsores and even necrosis of the limb).

During treatment, periodic x-ray monitoring (once a week) of the position of bone fragments is necessary, since secondary displacement of bone fragments is possible.

Traction is used for fractures of the humerus, shin bones and mainly for fractures of the femur. Depending on the age, location and nature of the fracture, adhesive plaster or skeletal traction is used. The latter is used in children over 3 years of age. Thanks to traction, displacement of the fragments is eliminated, gradual reposition is carried out and the bone fragments are held in the reduced position.

For bone fractures with displacement of fragments, one-stage closed reduction is recommended as early as possible after the injury. In particularly difficult cases, reposition is performed under periodic X-ray control with radiation protection for the patient and medical personnel. Maximum shielding and minimal exposure allows for repositioning under visual control.

The choice of pain relief method is of no small importance. Good anesthesia creates favorable conditions for reposition, since the comparison of fragments should be done in a gentle way with minimal tissue trauma. These requirements are met by anesthesia, which is widely used in hospital settings. In outpatient practice, reposition is performed under local or regional anesthesia. Anesthesia is carried out by injecting a 1% or 2% novocaine solution into the hematoma at the fracture site (at the rate of 1 ml per one year of the child’s life).

When choosing a treatment method for children and establishing indications for repeated closed or open reduction, the possibility of self-correction of some types of remaining displacements during growth is taken into account. The degree of correction of the damaged limb segment depends both on the age of the child and on the location of the fracture, the degree and type of displacement of the fragments. At the same time, if the growth zone is damaged (during epiphysiolysis), as the child grows, a deformation may appear that was not there during the treatment period, which should always be remembered when assessing the prognosis.

Spontaneous correction of the remaining deformity occurs the better, the younger the patient is. The leveling of displaced bone fragments in newborns is especially pronounced. In children under 7 years of age, displacements for diaphyseal fractures are allowed in the length range from 1 to 2 cm, in width - almost the diameter of the bone and at an angle of no more than 10°. At the same time, rotational displacements cannot be corrected during growth and should be eliminated. In children of the older age group, more accurate adaptation of bone fragments is necessary and it is necessary to eliminate deflections and rotational displacements. For intra-articular and periarticular fractures of the bones of the extremities, accurate reduction is required with the elimination of all types of displacement, since unresolved displacement of even a small bone fragment during an intra-articular fracture can lead to blockade of the joint or cause varus or valgus deviation of the limb axis.

Surgical intervention for bone fractures in children is indicated in the following cases:

• with intra- and periarticular fractures with displacement and rotation of the bone fragment;
• with two or three attempts at closed reduction, if the remaining displacement is classified as unacceptable;
• with interposition of soft tissues between fragments;
• with open fractures with significant damage to soft tissues;
• in case of improperly healed fractures, if the remaining displacement threatens permanent deformation, curvature or stiffness of the joint;
• for pathological fractures.

Open reduction is performed with special care, gentle surgical access, with minimal trauma to soft tissues and bone fragments and is completed mainly by simple methods of osteosynthesis. Complex metal structures are rarely used in pediatric traumatology. Most often, a Kirschner wire is used for osteosynthesis, which, even when carried out transepiphyseally, does not have a significant effect on bone growth in length. The Bogdanov rod, CITO, Sokolov nails can damage the epiphyseal growth cartilage and are therefore used for osteosynthesis for diaphyseal fractures of large bones. For improperly fused and improperly fused bone fractures, false joints of post-traumatic etiology, compression-distraction devices of Ilizarov, Volkov-Oganesyan, Kalnberz, etc. are widely used.

The time frame for consolidation of fractures in healthy children is shorter than in adults. In weakened children suffering from rickets, hypovitaminosis, tuberculosis, as well as with open injuries, the periods of immobilization are extended, since the reparative processes in these cases are slowed down.

With insufficient duration of fixation and early loading, secondary displacement of bone fragments and re-fracture are possible. Ununited fractures and pseudarthrosis in childhood are an exception and, with proper treatment, usually do not occur. Delayed consolidation of the fracture area can be observed with insufficient contact between fragments, interposition of soft tissues, and with repeated fractures at the same level.

After the onset of consolidation and removal of the plaster splint, functional and physiotherapeutic treatment is indicated mainly for children with intra- and periarticular fractures, especially when movement in the elbow joint is limited. Physical therapy should be moderate, gentle and painless. Massage near the fracture site, especially with intra- and periarticular injuries, is contraindicated, since this procedure promotes the formation of excess callus and can lead to myositis ossificans and partial ossification of the joint capsule.

Children who have suffered injury near the epimetaphyseal zone require long-term follow-up (up to 1.5-2 years), since injury does not exclude the possibility of damage to the growth zone, which can subsequently lead to limb deformity (post-traumatic deformity of the Madelung type, varus or valgus deviation of the limb axis, segment shortening, etc.).

Which doctors should you contact if you have bone fractures in children:

• Traumatologist
• Surgeon
• Orthopedist

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You? It is necessary to take a very careful approach to your overall health. People don't pay enough attention symptoms of diseases and do not realize that these diseases can be life-threatening. There are many diseases that at first do not manifest themselves in our body, but in the end it turns out that, unfortunately, it is too late to treat them. Each disease has its own specific signs, characteristic external manifestations - the so-called symptoms of the disease. Identifying symptoms is the first step in diagnosing diseases in general. To do this, you just need to do it several times a year. be examined by a doctor, in order not only to prevent a terrible disease, but also to maintain a healthy spirit in the body and the organism as a whole.

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Other diseases from the group Trauma, poisoning and some other consequences of external causes:

You come to the playground, and the child, like a little monkey, jumps from one slide to another and does not leave the horizontal bar. Worried about his health, you try to stop the baby. Your worries are completely justified, but it is impossible to completely protect a child from dangers, but it is possible to be armed with important information. Bone fractures in children are common, and anyone can get into a similar situation. The editors of the site figured out the types of fractures and primary care measures. You will learn about the symptoms of the phenomenon and what not to do.

Bone fractures in children: features of damage

A child’s body differs from an adult’s so much that when struck with the same force, a child can avoid a fracture, but an adult cannot. Therefore, the incidence of fractures in those who have already grown up is higher, which is due to the peculiarity of children's bones: it is flexible and elastic. And her healing process occurs quickly, while the thick periosteum avoids bone displacement.

A particularly troubling aspect is that childhood fractures often occur in the area of ​​bone growth, which is difficult to diagnose. The fact is that instead of bone, there is cartilage tissue at the growth site, and it is difficult to see on an x-ray. The ability of a child’s bones to recover is many times higher than that of an adult, so no scar remains at the site of the lesion.

Most often in children, fractures of the upper and lower extremities occur. And hand injuries occur 2 times more often. The localization of children's arm fractures is the bones of the forearm and elbow joint.

What are the symptoms of fractures in children?

No matter what part of the child’s body is damaged, the symptoms of a fracture are identical. They are divided into two types - probable and reliable. Possible ones include:

the presence of hematomas in places where the injury occurred;

swelling of the skin;

increased pain when pressing on the damaged area or moving;

impaired mobility depending on location - hands, feet, fingers.

Reliable symptoms include:

presence of limb deformity;

a feeling that bone fragments are crunching.

With a serious fracture, it can be diagnosed without any special signs, but if the severity is moderate, then it is worth taking into account the symptoms to determine the damage.

Closed bone fractures in children: how to act

The life of a schoolchild is not complete without bruises, but if you suspect that the child has a closed fracture, then first of all, provide him with rest. Parents should also pull themselves together so as not to further harm the baby.

The following first aid actions will help:

apply cold to the fracture site to alleviate the condition of the victim and stop the bleeding inside;

immobilize the damaged area of ​​the body by taking measures to ensure immobility of the fracture site;

try to place the damaged area in an elevated position.

Having completed these steps, you can give the baby an anesthetic, and further actions are up to the doctors.

Open fractures in a child: getting acquainted with assistance measures

The main difference between an open fracture is that it is an open wound, and therefore measures are more aimed at stopping bleeding and treating the damage. First aid is as follows:

if the wound is dirty, treat it with soap and water;

A pressure bandage will help stop bleeding, ideally a tourniquet, but in extreme conditions any material that tightly covers the fracture site will do;

provide peace to the child, distract him from disturbing thoughts, calm him down;

immobilize the damaged area.

An open fracture looks scary, but with a child, control yourself. Do all the steps calmly, ask where it hurts. Perhaps you need cold on the area of ​​pain.

First aid is an important measure on which further treatment depends. But do not forget, at the first suspicion of bone fractures in children, call an ambulance to put the child in the hands of professionals.