Most of the time, children don’t think twice about jumping into a new adventure and sometimes the result is an injury. Childhood bone fractures are common. They happen when the impact or force on a bone is more than it can withstand. Both girls and boys are more at risk for fractures during puberty, with boys being more likely to sustain a fracture.
A child’s bone is different from an adult bone and fractures vary as well. A child’s bone is flexible in nature and tends to buckle or bend before breaking. For this reason, children often have unique fracture patterns. Because the bones in a child are still growing, the growth plates at the ends of the long bones are open and are vulnerable to injury. Injuries here are common, but appropriate treatment is essential for the future health of that specific area.
Whether you hear your child groan after jumping off a high place, during a sports game, or in the midst of wrestling match with siblings, take note of complaints of pain. A brush it off and buck up attitude could put your child at risk. Look for pain and swelling, an obvious deformity, warmth, bruising, redness and limited mobility. Seek care immediately if your child displays any of these symptoms, or if they persist beyond self-care measures at home.
If your child suffers any type of foot or ankle injury, don’t hesitate to contact Houston Foot Specialists for diagnosis and treatment. Make an appointment today with Dr. Jeff Bowman by calling our office at (713) 467-8886, or scheduling online.
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