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2 year old fractured femur

5 replies

Youredaft · 27/10/2022 02:58

My poor 2 year old has fractured his femur, they’re discussing surgery and pinning the thigh bone due to the brake.

Has anyone else experienced this with such a young toddler? I’m at my wits end as we’re on holiday 3.5 hours from home and have 2 other children to take care of so me and DH will take turns in hospital.

At my wits end with worry!

OP posts:
Waveacrossabay · 27/10/2022 03:20

Are they going to pin it and then put him in plaster or traction? If traction then you'll be in for a while. Maybe 2 weeks, they'll have play specialists on the ward who will help you explain the operation to him. Don't lie and say it won't hurt because it already hurts, just say it will hurt when you wake up but it will get better. It's always so much worse when parents tell children it won't hurt because it does.

Plaster wise you might have him in a hip spika type thing or if not it will be toe to hip.

So sorry you're going through this and not even near home! Would it work if DH took the kids home and another family member came to baby sit them at your house and he came back? Or can one of your parents come to you and help?

There will be a parents room on the ward, use it. Tea, coffee fridges for your food and some of your child's fave yogurts or puddings whatever after the op. That will help the sore throat from the tube.

Don't be afraid to ask the staff to help, they will be expecting you to do most of the care because unfortunately that's what the wards expect nowadays, but someone can watch him for you to have a shower etc.

If you're not breastfeeding you won't get fed unfortunately because you're not the patient, which is shocking but I've never worked anywhere it's been 'allowed' but if you order toast in the mornings you'll probably get enough for the 2 of you.

First 24 hours after the op you probs won't get any sleep because they need to take very regular observations to make sure he's recovering ok, and they're not quiet but we do try and do them with minimal interference.

addler · 27/10/2022 03:34

I was an emergency nanny for a little boy the same age in a spica cast after he fractured his femur at nursery. It was tough for the family, but it is amazing how quickly children of that age adapt. He would pull himself along the floor to play and was really fast by the end. We would use blankets behind his back in his buggy and the car seat to ease the slope with the cast.

I'm still in touch with the family. He doesn't remember any of it now at all, and it hasn't harmed his development in any way- he's a fearless wee thing who rides motorbikes!

Youredaft · 27/10/2022 07:00

Hi, thank you for the replies. Yes pin and full hip to toe plaster. He’s on morphine which dh says is keeping him comfortable. One nurse has said they’ll aim to get him home earliest 10pm today or tomorrow so I’m hoping no traction

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WrongLife · 27/10/2022 07:04

Is he still in nappies or potty trained? I remember when I broke my leg Mum had to adapt my pants by splitting one of the side seams and adding velcro to get them on and off as they wouldn't go over the cast.

Nappies should at least be easier to manage.

Youredaft · 27/10/2022 07:33

Still in nappies and on the breast so yes, definitely easier I’m hoping to comfort and dress

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