In this post we’re going to talk about broken bones symptoms. There are things you can watch or worry about. It can be really tough to know — let’s find out!

Conner slammed Spencer’s hand in the slider door the other day, I fretted and fretted over if I needed to take him in. I must admit, even though I have all the knowledge — when I’m the parent in the seat I sometimes have a hard time “making the call.” These are gonna give you some ideas if it’s something you can watch or something that needs to go in ASAP!

The info I am presenting here is a combination of a REALLY in-depth first aid class that I took in college (that I actually, highly recommend to anyone who wants to become a mom someday — except for the “foreign objects day” — I almost threw up that day, and heavens knows I can watch a lot of gross stuff).  It was originally published in October of 2009, and got an update in 2017.

I also spent a few  years working emergency triage for a pediatrician — oh, and having 2 little boys. There is usually a weekly occurrence of me walking in planning to see bone jutting out of someone’s skin.

So far, no breaks here. {viciously knocking on wood}. We have had stitches though. 🙂

Hilary is an RN, BSN who has worked in various medical fields for the past 18 years, however, none of the information on this blog, should be substituted for the care of a physician. The information provided on this blog is informational only and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. You have instinct, use it — and use it wisely. If you have questions, please ask your doctor. If you think you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 911. Also, please don’t delay contacting a physician due to something you have read on here. Pulling Curls doesn’t take responsibility for your health. That’s your job. We’re just a nice read.

So, your child has had a “trauma” and says that something hurts. These are the steps that go through my mind:

Broken Bones Symptoms

1. Visually inspect. Is anything at a weird angle, are they holding it funny. What do you see. Dislocations also happen pretty frequently in kids, but that will usually be pretty easy to detect on a visual inspection.  Obviously, if a bone is sticking out – -you need to go in ASAP.

2. Have them move it. They won’t want to… but sometimes I’ll give them a Popsicle or the ice pack and make sure they’re using that limb to get it. They’ll say it REALLY hurts. Doesn’t it always REALLY hurt? I know.

3. Often, even if it’s broken they’ll still be able to move it (although, usually they’re REALLY complaining about it if they do). If there’s still a lot of complaining to do I will tap on it on the joint. I have’ heard (and saw at the pediatrician’s office) that if you tap a broken bone on one of the ends, and it’s really broken they’ll have shooting pain. So far, none of my kids have made it through this step. You can also kind of feel along the area with your hands — see if you see anything. Swelling will happen with any trauma, so unless it’s a LOT of swelling, it’s not much of an indicator.

4. Leg pain can be a little bit different. In my first aid class they said the 3 step rule. If they can walk more than 3 steps on it, it’s probably not broken. Assess your child though, some kids can’t walk 3 steps if their backpack is too heavy — so obviously, this has to be molded to your child and their pain tolerance.

5. Kiss it better. I try to remind myself that this is the time my kids can get a bit of loving from me. Give them an ice pack and a hug. That could be all they wanted anyway. Of course, my kids tend to injure themselves most often while I’m making dinner. Boooo to that. I should listen to this step a little more.

6. Give it a day. Is it still hurting? Green stick fractures (kids bones aren’t quite as solid as adults, so sometimes they’ll splinter like a green stick — still allowing movement but it will hurt) can be tricky stuff. I saw several parents after 3-4 days of the kid complaining, but still being able to do their regular stuff come in just so the doctor could say nothing was wrong — and they walk out feeling horrible and their child has a cast on. Life happens moms, don’t feel guilty. 🙂

So, it’s not broken but it is still hurting: Use the RICE method:

Rest — time for some TV, or a nice book.
Ice — Put an ice pack in a dishtowel and then on the injured area, you don’t want the ice pack touching their skin, so I use a dishtowel.
Compression — put an ACE bandage on it, it reduces swelling. Wrap towards the heart.
Elevation — put it up, on a pillow or whatnot.

Rice method goes for any injury — adults or children. If you don’t have an ACE bandage at your house, go get one. They’re handy things to have around. I even have one in each car.

Things to have on hand for injuries:

• Ace Wrap — these provide the compression we talked about above — don’t apply it too tight, but stretch it a bit as you put it on.
• Ice Packs — a package of peas will do, but something like this is nice (and doesn’t leak)
• Gauze — works better than a paper towel if there’s bleeding.

So, there you go. That’s my personal process. Don’t think you need to head straight to the ER if you have a broken arm. Call your regular doctor first — a lot of time they can handle it in the office and you can avoid the nasty co-payment. We worked in possible breaks all the time. Usually the doctor will look at the child, do a bit of poking and prodding and then send you off to X-ray anyway.

Like this post? — be sure to sign up for my family health newsletter!

Subscribe here!

We never share your information with third parties.

**Be sure to check out my other TMI posts for more health questions answered:

[pt_view id=”d218d8581b”]