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Original poster

Kid broke his arm!

19 replies

startafresh123 · 28/06/2023 19:56

My 6yo broke his arm at school today. Bless him he's been very brave even when he had to have gas and air and have it 'manipulated'🤢

Anyway we are due to go on hol to Greece a week on Sunday. One doctor thought he wouldn't be able to fly with a cast where the other doctor said he would be absolutely fine!

Does anyone know about flying with a cast?

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Original poster

startafresh123 · 28/06/2023 21:18

Anyone? Been kinda a stressful day!

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mauvish · 28/06/2023 21:23

Is he in a full cast or a half cast? How long is he supposed to keep it on? Kids' bones heal quickly!

The danger of flying with a full cast is probably overstated but it's to do with pressure changes on the plane potentially causing the cast to become too tight and restrict blood flow.

Why not ring the fracture clinic tomorrow and explain? They may offer a review before you go and might be able to convert the cast into something more holiday-friendly (obvs this might not be possible, depending partly on what sort of break he sustained, but it's worth a chat with someone who knows).

TBH what would concern me more is that he might not be able to go in the pool/sea with the cast on and it's going to be hot!

Original poster

startafresh123 · 28/06/2023 21:31

Thanks for replying!

Yeah that's what the original doctor said, basically that the fracture clinic would sort us out. She also said we could get a waterproof sleeve type thing that you can put over so he can go in the pool etc. but obviously swimming will be a bit limited! It's not a permanent cast yet we go to the fracture clinic next week.

It seemed a bit brutal how they managed his break, a guy came and put quite a lot of force on it (while DS had gas and air) so he didn't have a 'bendy arm'. They have also done the temp cast so it has constant pressure on his arm to 'straighten it out'. Is this normal? DS has coped amazingly but just seemed really harsh especially on a small child!

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OutsidInInsideOut · 28/06/2023 21:34

You can buy the covers online. I think called limbo or something they're great.

Dd flew with a cast on lower arm

whydoesitalwaysrainonmeeee · 28/06/2023 21:42

I think you can ask for a split cast for flying? Literally a normal cast then cut open down one side and then worn held together with bandages on top. That way if any swelling issues on flight it is removable. Lots of great waterproof sleeves on Amazon for splashing around in pool but proper swimming or slides won't be possible.

Guinefort · 28/06/2023 21:42

Your poor DS! I've been there (twice!) with DD4. I can't advise regarding flying but 100% recommend getting a BLOCCS waterproof cast cover. I bought mine on Amazon. They are absolutely brilliant and DD could swim in the pool and play in the sea with it on, so she didn't have to miss out on any fun parts of our holiday.

Crazycockapoop · 28/06/2023 21:46

My son broke his arm last year. He had to have a General anaesthesia to manipulate it as he couldn’t tolerate them even touching it, even with gas and air, so it sounds like your boy was an absolute trooper.

We also had a holiday booked but luckily he was able to get the cast off before we went. There was a chance they would have to leave it on though and none of the doctors suggested that would mean we couldn’t go.

We had one of those waterproof covers which was fine for the bath but not comfortable to wear for long periods as it is very tight around the top of the arm. It also builds condensation inside so shouldn’t be on too long in case it makes the cast soggy. I would definitely suggest you get one though as it will mean he can at least get in the pool a bit. I have heard of waterproof casts but I’m not sure if they are actually a thing. Worth asking.

Good luck x

Original poster

startafresh123 · 28/06/2023 21:51

@Crazycockapoop he was amazing it was clearly be

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Original poster

startafresh123 · 28/06/2023 21:55

Sorry, he was moving it around all over the place after he'd had his pain killers 'it doesn't really hurt now mummy'🙈🥴🤢 then didn't even bother with the manipulation either. I think he was on pretty strong meds though.

Hopefully should be ok r.e. Holiday. As long as we can go and he can dip in the pool / sea we will be happy. Hopefully should know more after fracture clinic.

When did you send yours back to school? It's the last week for mine next week so don't want him to miss out! Was thinking keep him home tomorrow to make sure he can eat, toilet etc. and know what meds he will need then send him back in?

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CurlewKate · 28/06/2023 21:57

I can recommend the limbo-it was brilliant!
My ds couldn't wait to go back to school to show off his cast! And he had a scribe for his Y2 SATS, which made him feel super important. They do bounce back!

CurlewKate · 28/06/2023 21:59

Sorry-didn't finish! He did it on Saturday and was back at school on Monday and he didn't need any meds at all.

Original poster

startafresh123 · 28/06/2023 22:19

Great, that's good to hear! I think he might need meds while he has this cast on because it's putting pressure on his break to move it back in. ( harsh!). But I do want him to go back!

I'd send him in tomorrow but not really sure if he might get pain or need help with his lunch.

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Crazycockapoop · 29/06/2023 11:19

Mine had to have a week off school as they wouldn’t allow him back until he had the solid cast on. Initially he had a back slab which had a split to allow for swelling. This was replaced the following week at fracture clinic and he could then return to school. X

EvilElsa · 29/06/2023 11:23

Remember to disclose the break with your travel insurance so you stay covered

Anoisagusaris · 29/06/2023 11:27

We went on holiday when DC had an arm cast. The fracture clinic cut the cast and re-taped it to allow for swelling on the plane. We used a waterproof cover for the pools but kept him mainly on the slides and play areas to prevent prolonged submersion.

Anoisagusaris · 29/06/2023 11:29

He was fine in school too (age 5 at the time). Wore tracksuit bottoms to make it easy to go to toilet. Packed lunches here so just sent stuff he could eat easily with one hand.

eatdrinkandbemerry · 29/06/2023 11:42

My friends son wasn't allowed to fly and it was a simple tiny fracture 😩

Original poster

startafresh123 · 29/06/2023 14:25

He was happy as Larry this morning so he's been to school, sounds like he's had a good day being center

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Original poster

startafresh123 · 29/06/2023 14:26

Posted too soon,

Being centre of attention. Praying we can still go on holiday!

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