Fractures In Children

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  FRACTURES IN CHILDREN                                                                                Beloit Health System's
  When Your Child Breaks a Bone                                                                        Orthopedic Team
  Children are active, adventurous and              pliable, which means a bone could bend
  not always careful. That combination,             rather than break during an injury or
  unfortunately, often leads to broken bones        accident.
  or fractures – common injuries sustained          A CLOSER LOOK AT FRACTURES
  by children and a leading reason to see an        The following are types of fractures that
  orthopedic surgeon.                               could occur in children:                           Dr. Emmy Ho             Dr. Leighton
  In children, broken bones are often the result                                                                               Johnson Jr.
                                                    • A single fracture – the bone is broken
  of an accidental fall, a sports injury or a         in one place only.
  vehicle accident. Fractures often happen in       • A comminuted fracture – the bone
  summertime when kids spend more                     is broken into two or more pieces or
  time outdoors.                                      crushed.
  HOW PEDIATRIC ORTHOPEDICS IS UNIQUE               • A complete fracture – the bone is
  Bones in children are different from adult          completely broken into two pieces.
  bones in a number of ways, which calls for        • A greenstick fracture – the bone is              Dr. Ajmal Matloob       Dr. John Orwin
  different treatment than adults. For example,       cracked only on one side, not com-
  children’s bones have a remarkable ability to       pletely through.
  heal quickly and the younger the child, the       • An open fracture – the bone is sticking       if a bone is broken. If an accident or injury
  more this is true. This capacity for healing        through the skin.                             has occurred, it’s best to bring your child
  allows orthopedic specialists to cast or          • A bowing fracture –the bone bends but         in for an examination and X-rays. Without
  splint children’s bones as they heal, rather        doesn’t break; this can only happen in        timely treatment of a fracture, the bone will
  than requiring a surgical option, which is          children.                                     begin to heal itself – often in a compromised
  more common in adults.                                                                            position.
                                                    With most severe breaks, your child will
  Because children are growing, their bones         experience sharp pain and you will most         If immediate help is needed, please take
  contain growth plates where new bone cells        likely be aware that a bone is broken.          your child to Beloit Health System’s
  divide quickly. A fracture in or near a child’s   However, there are many cases – especially      24-hour Emergency Center or NorthPointe
  growth plate can have major long-term             if the fracture is small – when your child      Immediate Care, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  effects. Children’s bones are also extremely      may not feel pain at all and you won’t know     Monday-Friday.



                                                        Caribbean Watermelon Salsa

                                                        Try this mouth-watering salsa (and a good source of Vitamin C)
                                                        with lime tortilla chips, cinnamon tortilla chips or pita chips.
                                                        Preparation time: 20 minutes
                                                        Number of servings: 8
                                                        INGREDIENTS
                                                        2 cups watermelon, chopped and              ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
                                                          seeded (or get seedless!)                 ¼ cup orange juice
                                                        1 cup chopped fresh pineapple               1 tablespoon jerk seasoning
                                                        1 cup chopped onion
                                                        DIRECTIONS
                                                        In large bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Refrigerate, covered, at least one
                                                        hour to blend flavors. Stir and remove liquid before serving.