Sprains, Strains, and Fractures

Injury to bone, muscle, joint or ligament. Pain and swelling usually peak on day two or three. Swelling is usually gone in 7 days. Pain may take up to two weeks to resolve.

Reason to Have Your Child Seen

We would want to your child to be seen immediately if serious injury with the possibility of fractures, bleeding that can't be stopped after 10 minutes or constant, direct pressure, amputation or bone sticking through skin, looks broken, looks dislocated, swollen joint, skin beyond injury site is pale or blue. Depending upon the situation we may wnat you to call 911. Reasons to seek medical assistance:

• Less than 6 months of age
• Large swelling
• Severe pain
• Won't stand or bear weight
• Limps when walking
• Uable to move limb normally
• Joint nearest to injury can't be moved fully
• Knee injury with a "snap" or a "pop"
• New onset of swollen thigh, calf or joint after 2 days
• No tetanus shot in the last 5 years for dirty cuts
• Any concerns you may have for your child

Home Care Advice for Arm or Leg Injuries

RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate)

Rest injured part as much as possible for 48 hours.

Apply cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth to the area for 20 minutes out of every 4 hours to help decrease pain and selling. After 48 hours. Use local heat for 10 minutes three times a day to help reabsorb the blood. 

Immediate compression can help decrease bleeding, swelling and pain.

Keep injured part elevated above the level of the heart for 24 hours.

Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) 4 times a day for pain for 48 hours. don't give Motrin in a child less than 6 months of age. After 48 hours, start gentle stretching as tolerated. 

If you have any concerns about your baby's health, please call. This Website is meant to be a guideline, not a substitute for the care of a competent health care provider. Please do not give any medicines without talking to your doctor first. We are happy to help you in any way we can. 

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