Your child has been treated for a wrist fracture. They have had a thorough examination and are now considered fit to be discharged. The following instructions will aid their recovery.
Stable Children's Wrist Fractures
Your child has suffered a stable fracture (break) of the wrist. This is the most common type of fracture in children.
Young bone is still soft and very flexible. For this reason, instead of breaking all the way through, the bone often has a small crack or kink on one side only.
This type of injury heals very well in a simple and easy to apply splint rather than a cumbersome plaster. Most of these injuries heal perfectly well if the splint is worn for 3–4 weeks.
Even with the splint on this injury is likely to hurt for a week or two. Give your child the correct dose of Paracetamol and Ibuprofen until the pain settles (unless unable to do so for medical reasons). The splint can be removed for bathing/showering without risk to the fracture.
If after 3 weeks the wrist is a little sore and stiff after being used, the splint can be reapplied for comfort. Do this for short periods only as it is best to try to start gently using the arm as normally as possible from now on.
However, if after 4 weeks the wrist still seems very sore, swollen, or the child is not willing to use it contact the Fracture Clinic to arrange follow-up.
If the child removes the splint before the 3 weeks and appears to be comfortable and can use the arm freely then there is no reason to force them to wear the splint for the full 3 weeks.
It is best to avoid sports and rough and tumble play when wearing the splint and for the 3 weeks after its removal.
What happens now?
Your child’s X-ray will be reviewed by a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, who will send you a letter. Occasionally the Consultant may wish to change the management plan you have been given in this leaflet. If this is the case you will be contacted by a member of the Fracture Clinic Team and an appointment will be made for you to attend the Children’s Fracture Clinic.
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Should you have any worries or concerns following discharge from hospital please contact:
Plaster Room Helpline: 01733 673 419
(9.00 am until 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday)
If no one answers leave a message including your Name, Hospital Number and a brief description of your problem
Call the Plaster RoomIf you have any serious concerns about your child’s injury outside these hours, please contact the Emergency Department on 01733 673 285
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