13 yr old broken lower arm bones

[boon]

My 13 year old broke his lower arm 2 weeks ago. It was a bad open fracture. He had to have an op to realign and have flexible nails put in. The op was difficult and took 3 hrs as they struggled to realign the bones. At our follow up appointment yesterday they showed us the xray and the bones are not fully aligned still. There is a 14 degree difference. The dr was not making things clear at all and talked about a deformity. We left the appt v concerned. Has anyone had this happen? Can it be rectified? It didnt sound like they are going to do anything further to rectify it. And its his dominant arm. Our next appt is in another 2 weeks.

Sorry. I didn't mean to post this here. 1st time poster

What are your worry's how can I help?

Have you seen the X-Ray?
Did they come up with a plan at the check up? Or did they even re cast your son? Xxx

Hi Teenmummy. I apologise if my message appears 3x but im having trouble with it appearing on the page.

The hospital didn't say they are planning on doing anything about the misalignment of the bones. The guy we spoke to also said the flexible nails are out of place! He was going to get someone senior to come and talk to us, but they didnt come, so he said ' we arent going to do anything so you can go and come back in 2 weeks'. We left that appt very concerned and my son was close to tears. I emailed PALs and they said the consultant who did the op will phone us on Monday. I dont know what we need to say as he could tell me its all fine but how do i know i can trust what they are saying is right? Ive seen the xrays and they dont look good. I dont know if we need to get a second opinion privately? The communication has been terrible. When my son was waiting for the op my partner said they were having a big debate about whether they should use flexible nails or plates and screws. They decided on the nails. The person on Thursday said hopefully when my son grows the bone will get stronger. Byt hes 13 and huge - nearly 6ft and size 10 feet - i dont think he has much more growing to do. I feel anxious about speaking to them when I dont know what is what.

Good call contacting PALS they are pretty much on the ball. I think just pretty much raise your concerns of the miss alignment on Monday to the consultant. They will always want what's best for your son! Considering his well build and me not being a surgeon this may be why they have gone down that route but I'm guessing. You can always ask to be seen by the consultant and not the reg soon for a reassessment and maybe they need to go back in and move the bones around. Sounds like a very complex fracture. Has he broken both his Ulna and Radious? Xxx

Yes both broken :-(

your poor ds.
are you seen regularly at the fracture clinic? usually those are 'manned' by the junior drs (not a bad think, generally) but you could ask for a second opinion by the consultant.

Oof, your poor son, that sounds horrendous, did he fall ?
I hope you get more clarity tomorrow, as it sounds as though he needed plates, has there been movement since the surgery, or was that difference there immediately post surgery?
Write a list of questions and go through them tomorrow, if you aren’t clear about any point then ask them again.
I am not a medic, but it sounds as though he may need another op ?

Personally I would contact PALS in the morning or the consultant and ask for a urgent review? If not then speak to your GP hope it helps

I'm a HCP (I know little about broken bones), but I have three children and things happen. I tend to say, I really appreciate the input so far, but I'm concerned about the deformity you mention, as it's his dominant arm and also he is unlikely to grow more, being already 6'2".

What are our other options regarding repeat surgery and when can we speak to the consultant about them?