![]() ![]() ![]() The next review will usually be three weeks after the injury. there is a bad smell or ooze coming from the castĭisplaced fractures: Your child will have an X-ray and review by the doctor one week after the injury.you are worried that an object has been pushed inside the cast.the cast is cracked, soft, loose or tight, or has rough edges that hurt.Take your child to your GP or local hospital if: your child has severe pain that is not relieved by the recommended medication at the recommended dose.your child is not be able to move their fingers, or complains of pain when you move them.your child complains of pins and needles or numbness in the fingers.If the swelling or pain improves, make sure that your child is wearing their sling correctly, with the hand higher than the elbow.Īfter elevating the arm for 30 minutes, take your child to the hospital emergency department immediately if: If any of these signs occur, rest and elevate the arm for 30 minutes. Severe pain and swelling, change in the colour of the fingers (white or blue), numbness or pins and needles, and inability to move the fingers are signs that the arm has not been elevated properly (with the hand above the elbow) or that your child's cast may be too tight. If your child has a fibreglass cast, treat it as though it is a plaster cast and avoid getting it wet. For more information, see our fact sheetĮven though fibreglass casts are waterproof, you need to make sure the padding underneath stays dry. Never allow your child to immerse the cast in water, even if it is in a plastic bag. For showering or bathing, seal the cast in a plastic bag with tape or a rubber band. If your child has a plaster cast, it is important to keep it clean and dry. Talk to your local pharmacist about a suitable antihistamine medication to use. Antihistamines may be useful for reducing the itch. You can help relieve itch by using a hair-dryer to blow cold air into the cast (do not use warm or hot air as this can burn the skin or warp the cast). While it may be tempting to remove the backslab for brief periods, it is recommended that you leave it in place. don’t allow them to use a ruler to scratch inside the cast). Do not let them push any object inside the cast (e.g. Make sure your child avoids scratching inside the cast as this may damage the skin and cause infection. Encourage your child to bend and straighten their fingers regularly, and make sure you check their fingers for movement, feeling and circulation. Use an arm sling for as long as directed by your child’s doctor, but it can be removed when your child is lying down. This will help to minimise swelling of the elbow, hand and fingers. The hand should be higher than the elbow. Give the pain relief medication regularly for the first few days, following the directions on the packet, or as directed by theĭuring the first few days, it is important for your child to rest as much as possible with their elbow and hand elevated on pillows. Although immobilising the arm with the cast and sling will help to reduce the pain, additional pain relief (e.g. If you think your child has a fracture and you are looking for first aid advice, see our fact sheet Fractures (broken bones).įractures are painful. This fact sheet provides information on what to do once your child has been treated in hospital for a supracondylar elbow fracture. The cast and sling are placed under loose clothing, and not passed through a sleeve. a partial cast held in place with bandages – this is called a backslab.a full cast – this is necessary after surgery.If your child has a displaced fracture, they may need surgery to have pins inserted, which hold the bones in place while the fracture heals.Īn undisplaced fracture means that the bone is still aligned.įor undisplaced and displaced fractures, your child will have a cast and a sling to support and protect the bone while it heals. Sometimes, supracondylar elbow fractures can be displaced, which means that the bones are out of alignment. If your child has a fracture just above their elbow, this is called a supracondylar elbow fracture. ![]()
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