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Children's health

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Original poster

Break, sprain or nothing?

35 replies

Sparklingbaubles · 13/12/2011 19:08

DS2 (9) hurt is wrist/arm playing football on Saturday just gone. At the time he was crying in pain, but there was no swelling or bruising.

Today he says he is still in pain (but not agony and not needing Calpol). He has been going to school but had to do a note for PE today.

I don't know what to make of it. I keep hearing things about broken bones and not knowing it. Confused

OP posts:
Luminescence · 13/12/2011 19:15

Has he got full movement? Can he bear the weight of holding something?

Original poster
Sparklingbaubles · 13/12/2011 19:19

He has full movement but says it's painful to move it. He can pick up books, pencils etc but can't pick anything heavy up (school bag etc).

OP posts:
Luminescence · 13/12/2011 20:20

Id get it checked out but I am quite paranoid.

Original poster
Sparklingbaubles · 13/12/2011 20:24

Thanks Luminescence. I am starting to feel that way. Doctors? Can't really go to A&E 5 days after the event can I?

OP posts:
CroissantNeuf · 13/12/2011 20:27

When DS fractured a bone in his arm I knew something was wrong when he wasn't using it at all (even when I wasn't watching him IYSWIM). In fact we left it overnight as we were convinced it was OK but even when I checked him through the night he was lying on is back with his arm in a bent position resting on his body -he didn't move at all (normally sleeps on his side). It wa sthat that made me realise there was a problem

There wasn't any obvious swelling or bruising so you can't always assume that this would be evident if there is a break.

Maybe check how he is using it when he is unawares you are watching him?

workshy · 13/12/2011 20:32

I was walking round with a broken arm for a week before going to a&e -think they are used to it

Original poster
Sparklingbaubles · 13/12/2011 20:36

DH is being a bit Hmm about it. I will try and watch if DS uses his arm differently. I had to pull his sweatshirt over his head today because he couldn't do it. It's a difficult call isn't it?

OP posts:
CroissantNeuf · 13/12/2011 20:42

Don't worry about going to A&E a day or two after the event either.

I was horrified that we'd left DS (aged 5 at the time) overnight with a broken arm before going to A&E but they were absolutely fine and said that we'd done the right thing in that we'd been monitoring his use of it, that we weren't to know etc. The nurse said that its common for children to be brought in a day or two after the 'accident' when its a fracture as there's often no visible swelling or bruising.

Original poster
Sparklingbaubles · 13/12/2011 20:47

Feel a bit crap because I have managed to bring 2 boys up (DS1 is 12) and still can't recognise whether one has possibly broken his wrist. Blush

Thanks for the reassurance. I need to sort it out before he takes part in any more footy really.

OP posts:
CroissantNeuf · 13/12/2011 21:00

SparklingBaubles -don't worry about that. DS broke his arm at school and they didn't recognise that he'd broken it!! (and they have had years of experience, 100s of children etc).

Thats not to say that I was angry or upset with them for not noticing because I most certainly wasn't. They felt really bad about it afterwards but its just one of those things. Children have accidents and we don't have Xray vision.

I hope all turns out OK Smile

Original poster
Sparklingbaubles · 13/12/2011 21:38

Thanks Croissant. Smile

OP posts:
Mmmcoffee · 13/12/2011 21:48

Thing is, quite often even if it is broken they'll just slap a support bandage or half-cast on it to allow for swelling, and give you an appointment for fracture clinic in a few days. TBH I'd take him to the doctor if you can get an appointment - he can refer you for an x-ray and you won't have to wait in A&E for hours.

Original poster
Sparklingbaubles · 14/12/2011 20:17

Update. Went to minor injuries dept at local hospital. He has a 'buckle' fracture. He has a splint and we are due at the fracture clinic tomorrow at 9am. Where do I collect my 'Crap Mum of the Year' trophy? Sad

OP posts:
herbietea · 14/12/2011 20:26

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Original poster
Sparklingbaubles · 14/12/2011 20:31

He is a bit of a drama queen at the best of times herbie. I always thought it would be difficult to tell when he has properly hurt himself.

No footy for at least 4 weeks and he's very worried it may snow and he won't be able to go sledging. Hmm

I am glad I'm not alone though. Smile

OP posts:
olivo · 14/12/2011 20:38

If it is any consolation, we left our 5yo DD for 10 days Blush before taking her to get seen - the pain was not consistent and at various points she didnt mention it for several days. it turned out to be a bent bone in her wrist, which apparently was only likely to cause pain when in certain postitions. She has it in a splint for a couple of weeks. I couldnt even tell them when or how she'd done it Blush but probably coming off her bike.
So, I'm afraid the trophy for crap mum of the year is staying firmly on my mantlepiece...Wink Blush

Original poster
Sparklingbaubles · 14/12/2011 20:42

It's a horrible feeling isn't it olivo? All this so called 'you know your own child' stuff. Do I? He hadn't had any painkillers or anything. Shock

OP posts:
LivingDead · 14/12/2011 20:43

Poor ds, my ds was just 1 when he had a buckle fracture of his leg, it's pretty hard to call because when they are not using/putting pressure on it they seem fine and dandy.

I did take him in a couple of hours after the event, but was subjected to the whole child protection barrage, stripping him off for inspection, the lot Sad. Obviously it's marvellous that they are so on the ball, but I did feel so so guilty and a terrible Mother, god knows why, I wasn't even looking after him when it happened Hmm.

JaneBirkin · 14/12/2011 20:44

Oh well you did good, going up there. It's very hard to know if you'll be wasting their time or not. I read a lot about wrists in the last few days and I know a lot of people don't realise when they have a break.

So please don't feel bad.
My friend is an A&E nurse and she said she left her daughter's arm for a week once not thinking it was broken, and it was Blush so really you are not alone!!!
Hope it is sorted before the snow for him x

olivo · 14/12/2011 20:47

I was mortified Sad Hope your DS's wrist gets better soon.

Luminescence · 14/12/2011 20:52

Don't worry, breaks are difficult to spot in children.

Original poster
Sparklingbaubles · 14/12/2011 20:52

They were lovely at the hospital and didn't make me feel bad. I was relieved in a way that it turned out to be something IYKWIM.

Thanks Jane it does make me feel better to hear all the stories about similar terrible mothers. Grin

Living I got slightly paranoid as it was a sporting injury that I didn't see happen and the nurse directed all the questions to DS. That was horrible for you, but I suppose they have to question it all? Sad

OP posts:
herbietea · 14/12/2011 21:01

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JaneBirkin · 14/12/2011 21:38

They're hard to spot in anyone! They still don't know if mine is busted or not - they gave me a lovely attractive splint too, and offered a sling, which I couldn't drive in so haven't bothered - and said come back if it's still painful in a week! Not even an x ray.

I think it's one of those things. Don't feel bad.

CroissantNeuf · 14/12/2011 21:44

Like I said yesterday -don't feel bad about it.

When I went to A&E with DS they also directly asked him what had happened . You can imagine the worry about what a 5 yo with a vivid imagination might come out with !