Kids and Health Care: Broken Bones and Sprains

If your child breaks a bone or twists an ankle, would you know what to do? If you think your child has a broken (fractured) bone, you should seek emergency care. But, how do you know if a bone is broken? Suspect a broken bone if:

• your child heard or felt a bone snap;
• your child has difficulty moving the injured part; or
• the injured part moves in an unnatural way or is very painful to the touch.

A sprain occurs when the ligaments that hold bones together are overstretched and partially torn. Overstretching of musculature is called a strain. Sprains and strains generally cause swelling and pain, and there may be bruises around the injury. After proper medical help, most sprains can be treated at home.