Children are far more physically active than the average adult and have lots of energy. They play with their buddies, run, jump, and participate in sports at school. Sometimes a broken bone results from this physically demanding lifestyle.
Children are nonetheless susceptible to harm if an impact is significant even though their bones are more flexible than adults’ bones are, making them ideal shock absorbers. A bone can break if too much force is applied to it or if the amount of force is more than what the bone can withstand. A cracked bone is the same as a broken bone.
A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon should carefully examine a youngster who has fractured a bone to make sure that
Are Bone Fractures Different in Children than in Adults?
Because these are merely partial breaks, children can endure “greenstick fractures.” Young children’s bones are more flexible than those of adults, making them less prone to entirely break. They are known as “greensticks” because they can bend and may only partially shatter, much like a young green plant. Contrast this with stress fractures, also known as hairline fractures, which are frequent in elderly individuals due in large part to osteoporosis.
A bone fracture can either be open or closed, depending on whether the bone penetrates the skin. A closed fracture is also known as a simple fracture, whereas an open fracture is also known as a compound fracture. An untreated broken bone can become a crippling injury at any age if the bone does not mend properly. Fractures of any kind are more dangerous in older adults than in younger children.
How Are Broken Bones Diagnosed and Treated?
Children and adults who have a bone fracture should often have imaging testing, such X-rays, as well as a physical evaluation by a physician. An X-ray will reveal crucial information, including the severity of the injury and, if the bone is shattered, the number of fragments it has fragmented into. If the fracture is complicated, the doctor might request an MRI or CT scan to conduct additional research.
When treating a bone fracture, care is taken to ensure that the bone heals correctly and maintains its alignment. Compound fractures may need surgical realignment using metal rods, pins, plates, and/or screws, while simple fractures may likely need a splint or a cast. Additionally, the doctor will recommend painkillers.
