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Broken Bones
A fracture can be described as a chip, crack, or break. Children's bones can break due to a direct or indirect force on the bone; they are common injuries amongst children. 4 common fractures may occur in a child. Each one has its own complications.
Important!
Where you see trauma, you must suspect broken bones or life-threatening injuries. i.e, a child has been hit by a car
Watch the clip below.
Green Stick Fracture
The most common fracture in a child or Infant is the greenstick fracture. Imagine a young tree branch being bent, the bark and inner wood would twist, bend, but not break in two.
This principle applies to the young bone of a child. In many cases, it appears swollen, bruised, red, and painful. The child can move;t, however, there are small hairline fractures along the bone
Open Fractures
Complicated Fractures
Closed Fractures
The open fracture is where the bone snaps and penetrates through the skin.
There are a number of problems with the open fracture:
- Extreme Pain
- Blood loss(Shock)
- Infection( Bone is exposed)
- Recovery(Long and complicated
Closed Fractures
Complicated Fractures
Closed Fractures
The closed fracture is another common fracture among children. The collar bone is a bone that tends to break. One reason for this is that when a child falls, they place their hands in front of them, a shock wave is sent up the arms, and the collar bone snaps under the pressure.
Complicated Fractures
Complicated Fractures
Complicated Fractures
The ribs that break may puncture the lungs; this is a complicated fracture. All spinal fractures are complicated due to the possibility of nerve damage.
Treatment Of Fractures
The first thing you need to consider is that these are children and babies we are working with; some young children may not be able to express their pain.
One rule:
DO NOT PICK THE CHILD UP
The reason is that you could inflict more pain and injuries on the child. If the child comes to you with a broken wrist, then immobilise the arm, place it in a sling for comfort, and take them to the hospital.
Should the child's wrist have an open fracture with lots of blood and severe pain:
- Do not pick them up
- Shout for help, Helper to get the first aid kit
- Gloves on (prevent infection)
- Apply 2 dressings on each side of the bone (Control blood loss)
- Use tape or another dressing to hold in place. If not possible, get someone else (wearing gloves) to hold them in place
- Place dressing lightly over the protruding bone (to prevent Infection)
- Get a helper to call 999/112
- Treat for shock
Open Leg Fracture
✅ 1. Call emergency services immediately
Open fractures require urgent hospital treatment.
✅ 2. Do NOT move the injured limb unless absolutely necessary
Movement can worsen bleeding, damage tissues, or cause further bone displacement.
✅ 3. Control bleeding — but avoid pressing directly on the bone
• Apply gentle pressure around the wound, not on the exposed bone
• Use a sterile dressing
• If blood soaks through, add more layers — don’t remove the original dressing
✅ 4. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing
• Use a non‑stick sterile dressing
• Loosely cover the exposed bone
• Keep the area as clean as possible to reduce infection risk
✅ 5. Immobilise the limb
• Support the limb in the position found
• Use soft padding to keep it still
• If trained, you can apply a splint, but only if it does not move the bone or cause pain
• Improvised splints (e.g., rolled towels) can be used to prevent movement
✅ 6. Treat for shock
• Lay the person down
• Keep them warm with a blanket
• Do not give food or drink
• Reassure them and monitor breathing
✅ 7. Do NOT
• Do not push the bone back inside
• Do not straighten the limb
• Do not remove objects stuck in the wound
• Do not wash the wound (this is done in hospital)
Dislocations
Dislocation of Joints
A dislocation of the joint occurs when there is an abnormal separation in the joint between two bones. The dislocation often occurs in a child or infant due to a sudden impact on the joint or a fall.
Further complications and damage to nerves, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. One common form of dislocation is when the shoulder joints are dislocated due to towing the child/infant by the arms, causing jerking of the joint.
Recognition of Dislocations
- Pain, tenderness,bruising and swelling in the joint area
- Loss of mobility
- Deformity
- Signs of shock
- Possible wound
Treatment for Dislocations
The treatment for a dislocation should be similar
to that of a broken bone:
- Immobilise in the position found
- Place in sling if child allows
- Ice or cool pack on swollen area
- Take child to hospital
- Phone 999/112 if child is in shock
Sprains & Strains
RICE- Treatment
Sprains & Strains
Sprains and strains are injuries to the muscles and tendons, also known as soft tissue injuries. Children tend to have these injuries sports sports-related activities; they can be painful; however, if treated quickly and effectively, the child will recover quickly.
Recognition of Sprain or Strain
- Pain, tenderness, bruising, and swelling in the joint area
- Lack of mobility
Treatment of Sprain
Sprains and strains are treated in the same manner. Use the following treatment:
- Rest ( Do not make the child "walk it off")
- Ice (wrap ice in a towel or use an instant ice pack for a good 10-20 minutes
- Compress( Use Crep bandage, compress but not too tight as swelling may return, apply ice for another 10 minutes
- Elevate (position the leg raised to keep swelling down.
After a few days, the area will be stiff and a bit sore.
Important!
If you are in doubt and the child is young
Take them to the hospital to confirm it's not a green stick fracture.