Of all the fractures that happen in children, the forearm bones are the most common. This is because it is a natural reaction for children (and adults!) to break a fall by reaching out with their arms. This action tends to make the forearm bear the brunt of the force. Doing this makes the two bones in the forearm, the radius and ulna, prone to fracturing.
Injuries vary in severity, often depending on the nature of the trauma. Sometimes only one of the bones is broken (radius or ulna), sometimes both bones are broken. Sometimes the bone is broken close to the elbow, and sometimes it happens close to the wrist. Children are unique in that their bones are still growing, and doctors are careful to establish whether a fracture has gone through the area that the bone grows from (growth plate).
All fractures are serious, but the way individual forearm fractures are managed depends on the specific type of injury. Some can be treated with a cast, but some may require an operation to fix.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a forearm fracture in children include:
- Pain that occurs suddenly with the injury and persists
- Swelling around the fracture site
- Bruising around the fracture site
- Loss of function in that arm/hand
- Visible deformity in the arm
It is especially important to report symptoms of:
- Broken skin near the fracture
- A pale looking hand in the affected arm
Causes
Forearm fractures in children are almost always caused by some sort of trauma. This generally involves a fall- for instance, off a bike or play equipment.
Risk Factors
Being a regular active child is the main risk factor for forearm fractures! They generally happen with trauma from falls.
Investigations
The most common investigation required when trying to diagnose a forearm fracture is X-ray. This shows the bones in the forearm, and can show most fractures quite easily.
Complications
Complications of forearm fractures may include:
- Reduced range of movement in the arm (especially rotation in the forearm)
- Damage to muscles – if there is significant delay in the treatment of certain fractures, the blood supply to the forearm muscles may be compromised, resulting in muscle damage
- Damage to nerves – this is unusual, but may result in numbness, tingling or weakness in the forearm or hand
- Deformity – if the bones do not heal from the fracture in the normal way, there may be a bony bump, or angulation in the bone which requires an operation to correct
Treatment
Seeking Advice
Your Family Doctor (GP)
Your Family Doctor will be able to diagnose and help treat your problem. He or she will be able to
- tell you about your problem
- advise you of the best treatment methods
- prescribe you medications
- and if necessary, refer you to Specialists (Consultants) for further treatment
Prevention
Protective gear such as padding may prevent these injuries when children are engaged in sporting activities.