What causes a fracture?

Fractures occur when there is more force applied to the bone than the bone can absorb. Bones are weakest when they are twisted.

Breaks in bones can occur from falls, trauma, or as a result of a direct blow or kick to the body.

A child’s bone differs from adult bone in a variety of ways:

• A child’s bone heals much faster than an adult’s bone. The younger the child, the faster the healing occurs.
• Bones are softer in children and tend to buckle or bend rather than completely break.
• Children have open growth plates, also called epiphysis, located at the end of the long bones. This is an area where the bone grows. Injury to the growth plate can lead to limb length discrepancies or angular deformities.

What are the symptoms of a fracture?

The following are the most common symptoms of a fracture. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the injured area
• Swelling in the injured area
• Obvious deformity in the injured area
• Difficulty using or moving the injured area in a normal manner
• Warmth, bruising, or redness in the injured area

The symptoms of a broken bone may resemble other conditions. Always consult your child’s doctor for a diagnosis.