Specialties & Conditions Fractures and Broken Bones
Fractures and Broken Bones
Specialty
What Are Fractures? Are Fractures and Breaks the Same?
Fractures and broken bones are the same thing. Your doctor is more likely to use “fracture,” but the terms are interchangeable. A fracture could be a small crack you’d see only on an X-ray or a bigger break where the bone sticks out of the skin. Both are breaks, and both are fractures.
Fractures are common, with almost a third of girls and roughly half of boys experiencing at least one broken bone. The most frequent fractures in children occur in the wrist, followed by the elbow and forearm.
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What Are the Most Common Causes of Fractures in Children?
Most fractures in children result from some sort of trauma, which can include:
- Bike, scooter or motorbike mishaps
- Car accidents
- Major falls, such as falling from a tree
- Minor falls, such as tripping over a rug
- Sports injuries
Are Some Children More Prone to Fractures?
Some children are more likely to break bones because they have certain underlying conditions.
Children Who Can’t Walk
Children with neuromuscular conditions that make them unable to walk — such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy — are more vulnerable to fractures for many reasons. For example, these conditions often lead to muscle weakness: Their muscles can’t support their bones. Sometimes, the lack of weight-bearing exercises can cause the bones to weaken.
For some of these children, even everyday activities, like diaper changes or being moved from a bed to a chair, can result in broken bones.
Children With Fragile Bones
Some children may have genetic or metabolic conditions, such as osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) or Vitamin D deficiency. These conditions can weaken bones, making children more prone to fractures.
What Are the Signs of a Fracture in Children?
If you think your child might have a broken bone, look for these signs:
- Limited ability to use or bear weight on an arm or leg
- Pain directly over the bone, especially when touched
- Persistent pain when they move the injured limb
- Swelling or redness in the area
- Visible deformity, such as an odd bend in the arm or leg
If your child has a condition that makes them susceptible to fractures, signs might also include pain when you are moving or touching them.
How Are Fractures Diagnosed in Children?
If your child comes in with a suspected fracture, our care team follows a careful process to make sure they properly identify the injury.
Physical Examination
Your child’s doctor will start by asking how the injury happened and examining the affected area. They will look for swelling, bruising, tenderness or difficulty moving the limb.
Imaging
If the doctor thinks your child has a broken bone, they usually recommend an X-ray. X-rays are the most common tool for detecting a fracture.
If the X-ray doesn’t show a fracture, but your child still has symptoms, the doctor might order advanced imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan. These tools help find fractures that are harder to see, such as small breaks or growth plate fractures. Growth plates — growth cartilage near the ends of long bones — and their injuries don’t always show up in X-rays.
Sometimes, your child’s doctor may decide against advanced imaging. If they suspect a fracture but can’t see it on the X-ray, they may treat it as an occult (hidden) fracture. They will set the potential fracture with a cast or splint to protect it and help it heal.
How Are Pediatric Fractures Treated?
The treatment depends on factors including your child's age, size, the bone affected and how bad the fracture is. Here are two frequent approaches to treatment:
- Immobilization, the most common approach, typically involves using a cast or brace or taping the area.
- Surgery may be necessary for more severe fractures or those in certain locations such as the growth plates, the femur (thighbone) or the pelvis. Surgical options include temporary surgical pins, placing flexible rods or permanent metal rods, or plates and screws to repair the break.
What Is Lurie Children’s Approach to Caring for Children With Fractures?
At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, our team includes pediatric orthopedic specialists who focus on your child’s unique needs. In addition, our child life specialists will help reduce your child’s anxiety during their visit. Because we believe in caring for the whole family, our care team will answer your questions and make sure you are comfortable with the treatment plan.
Multiple outpatient sites throughout the Chicago area make it easy to access pediatric fracture care closer to home.
Can Fractures Affect My Child's Long-Term Health?
Most fractures heal without any lasting problems. However, certain types of fractures can lead to long-term issues:
- Fractures involving the growth plate can affect future bone growth.
- Intra-articular fractures (those involving a joint) may result in arthritis as the child ages.
Long-term complications are rare. Our team will monitor and guide your child’s recovery.
About Lurie Children’s Bone Health Program
Lurie Children’s Bone Health Program offers family-centered care for a wide range of bone disorders in children of all ages. We treat the whole child by considering factors such as family history, genetics, nutrition and lifestyle. Our multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, therapists and technicians collaborates to identify the root cause of your child’s bone issues and provides personalized, compassionate care.