DD fractured both arms... Any tips?

[Bluecarrot]

She's 10 and just tripped and fell, fracturing both arms just above the wrist. Full cast on one from palm over her elbow, other too swollen so still palm to over elbow cast but only over half of her arm with cotton on the other half til next week.

Obviously she needs help with eating, toileting, washing etc and its gonna be a long few weeks. She's anxious about school as well - needing loo there etc.

Does anyone have any tips on coping with this? I'm not sure how careful I realistically need to be with her. Would it be detrimental for her to attempt to use cutlery? Wipe after bathroom? ( front at least. She's hit puberty so its a little more awkward! Would see about rubber glove or something to keep hand/cast clean.

Hugs for you both, DD2 has broken both her arms, but fortunately 18 months apart. Having both arms in plaster at the same time is going to be 'fun'.

DD didn't have to keep above the elbow casts for more than a couple of weeks and once she had short, light fibreglass casts, dressing etc was much easier. She managed to go to the loo ok. A lot of things depend on how much your DD can use her fingers in her casts. I'm guessing her final casts will come between her fingers and thumb, which will make things hard on both hands.

I honestly think you are just going to have to wait and see what she can and can't do. Also don't be afraid to ask the hospital for any help, advice going from occupational health etc. they didn't even give us the plaster room no. for repairs.

Anyway sending lots of hand, finger tip holding and best wishes for quick bone knitting.

When ds2 fractured his arm, the medical advice was it was good to use the hand/fingers as much as possible: to improve circulation and keep muscles strong, but that the arm itself should be rest and supported (ie in sling) as much as possible whilst healing.

Both arms in casts? What a nightmare! Poor her.

Do have a chat with school. She won't be able to do much, won't even be able to carry a bag, etc. It might be an idea to keep her off for at least a week or so whilst she adapts to the casts.

Oh your poor dd!
Maybe flush able wipes like kandoo might make toilet situations easier once she can manage that herself. School might let her use staff toilets (they can say because they have more room) so she could take them to the loo with her.
Can't think of any useful suggestions, really until she can manage the loo unaided it's going to be virtually impossible for her to be at school as obviously no-one there can help her with that (and I'm SURE she wouldn't want them to!). Everything else (getting around, carrying books/lunch trays etc) is very manageable. We've had children with broken leg or arm at school with no difficulty, the other children are usually very supportive.
Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Thanks for the replies!

roisin
That's exactly what I wanted to hear re using her fingers as much as possible. Wasn't sure if using them was detrimental. I didn't think to ask in hospital! She tried brushing her teeth a bit last night without pain ( "just" discomfort)

I'm 100% sure she won't want to miss school, but will go down and talk to them about what we can do to make things easier. It's a v small school and v friendly so apart from the toileting and eating issues I can't see too much of a problem. The casts will have properly set by then.

She got two parts in school play, and its her first year building confidence to try out so to miss a practice ( and potentially risk her part) will be out if the question for her. At most she would agree to Monday off as drama isn't on Mondays.

I live 7 mins walk from school. I could come at break time to take her to bathroom and bring her home for lunch.

We had some behavioural issues in last while ( I have 2 threads on them!) so will be interesting what will happen in next few weeks!