Hand Doctors Explain How to Know If a Child’s Wrist is Broken
From participating in organized sports to simply enjoying childhood activities like riding a bike, children’s injuries are an inevitable part of growing up. And wrist injuries are among the most common sports or play injury in children of any age. For younger children, playground activities like slides and monkey bars are often the culprit when it comes to broken bones. For older kids, it may be sports, cheerleading, gym class, skateboarding, or other athletic activities that lead to a fracture.
But, as with many common injuries, it can be hard for parents to determine when the child needs to be taken for medical attention, and when the pain or discomfort is simply temporary and will resolve on its own. For this reasons, parents often choose to take a “wait and see” approach with a child’s wrist injury.
For a less serious wrist injury this approach is fine, but for fractures it is important to seek early medical intervention with a hand doctor as soon as possible. So how does a parent know if a wrist is broken? In this article, Oakland County board certified hand specialist discusses what you should do if you suspect your child has sprained or broken their wrist.
Statistics on Broken Bones in Children
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), approximately 50% of all children will experience at least one broken bone during childhood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that fractures account for approximately 15% of all childhood injuries, with over 850,000 children seeking emergency care for fractures annually in the United States.
The Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics reports that upper extremity fractures represent about 65% of all pediatric fractures, with wrist fractures being particularly common. Studies show the distal radius (wrist) is the most frequently broken bone in children, accounting for nearly 25% of all pediatric fractures. The peak age for wrist fractures occurs between 11-14 years old, with slightly higher rates in boys than girls.
Research published in the Journal of Hand Surgery indicates that sports activities account for approximately 40% of pediatric wrist fractures, with falls during playground activities contributing another 30%. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, about 70% of wrist fractures in children involve the growth plate, making specialized evaluation and treatment crucial for preventing long-term complications.
The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data shows a significant seasonal variation in pediatric fracture rates, with peaks during summer months and after-school hours. Recent studies indicate that approximately 1 in 3 children who participate in competitive sports will suffer a fracture requiring medical attention during their playing years, with wrist fractures being among the most common.
Determining if a Child’s Wrist is Broken
Hand doctors are frequently asked “how do I know if my child’s wrist is broken?” In this article board certified hand surgeon Doctor Rehman addresses this important issue. Of course, when there is any concern at all, it is always best to take your child to a hand doctor for examination.
Clinical data shows that proper initial treatment by a hand specialist reduces the risk of complications by up to 60%. The Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America emphasizes that growth plate fractures, in particular, require expert evaluation and management to ensure proper healing and continued normal growth, with approximately 85% of properly treated growth plate fractures healing without long-term complications.
How did the child’s broken wrist happen?
Knowing how the child’s wrist injury occurred is helpful in making a diagnosis of a broken wrist. Most commonly, a wrist injury occurs when the child falls onto an outstretched hand – sometimes abbreviated as “FOOSH”. Aggressive twisting or direct contact, such as a blow to the wrist can also cause a broken wrist.
Where is the child’s wrist pain?
If the pain is at the base of the thumb – or there is increased pain in the wrist and thumb area with movement, it can be an indication of a broken wrist
Bruising and swelling in the area of the hand, thumb, wrist or forearm after an impact can also indicate a broken wrist.
Other Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Wrist
Decreased range of motion – limiting movement of the wrist in some way – can be a sign of a break.
Additionally, difficulty or pain gripping or grasping objects – such as a pen or ball – can be an indication that the wrist is broken. If this persists for more than a day or two, it is important to seek medical attention to rule out a broken wrist.
What to do if you suspect a child’s broken wrist
If the injury occurred at school or during practice, a coach or trainer may be trained to wrap or immobilize the injured wrist until your child can be fully evaluated. Applying ice to the injured wrist is also an excellent idea, as it will help reduce swelling. However, these are only temporary steps until you can get your child medical attention as soon as possible.
Remember, diagnostic imaging – X-ray, MRI or CT scan – is the only way to tell with certainty if a broken wrist has occurred. If the injury occurred after hours or on the weekend, taking your child to urgent care is a good option. But if you suspect a broken wrist during regular business hours, let our staff know and Doctor Rehman will get your child in for an evaluation and X-ray right away.
Once a broken wrist diagnosis is made, a specialized children’s hand doctor like Dr. Rehman in Oakland County is the best person to determine the best treatment plan. This may include having the wrist set in a cast – which can take remain on for four to six weeks while the wrist heals. In more extreme broken wrists, surgery if necessary. The sport or activities your child plays – and the severity of her or his wrist injury – will determine the length of time before he or she can get back to their regular interests.
If a child’s broken wrist is left untreated, it can result in a lifetime of pain, instability and even a loss of motion. So it is important to identify and treat a broken wrist as soon as possible. With immediate and specialized treatment, your child’s wrist will be able to heal fully – so they can return to the activities that they love without any long-term complications.
Top Oakland County Children’s Hand Doctor
Dr. Rehman’s Oakland County practice specializes in pediatric hand and wrist fractures. If your child is suffering from an injury or pain in their fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact Oakland County children’s hand doctor Dr. Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to treat a broken wrist and prevent long term complications.
Doctor Rehman will assess your child’s individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for their condition.
