Children play, do all sorts of physical things, and sometimes get injured, which is completely normal and can be taken care of with minimal medical intervention! However, sometimes children can sustain fatal or severe injuries that can result in broken bones and may require a cast.
If your child is exposed to fall Or if an unfortunate accident puts your child in a cast, this post is something you can't miss! In this blog, we'll talk about how to care for your child in such a situation and more!
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When does a child need a fracture splint?
Your child may need a cast for a number of reasons, such as a broken bone or to help the bone and surrounding tissue grow after surgery to improve healing.
A splint helps hold a broken bone in place and is made of plaster or fiberglass. The duration of the splint typically depends on your child's age and the type of fracture, meaning it can be worn for anywhere from 4 to 10 weeks.
If your child has a minor fracture, a splint may be used. This is not only adjustable but also covers the broken bone on one or both sides. However, for major fractures, the entire area will be covered with a cast and removed after the bone heals.
How to get a fracture splint for children
Whether or not a child needs a splint is determined after an x-ray is taken. However, sometimes a doctor may, after examining the injury, determine that a child needs a splint, but x-rays are still taken to confirm and determine the type of fracture.
After determining the type of fracture, here's what your doctor will do:
Before getting a splint, the doctor needs to realign or adjust the broken bones before applying the splint to ensure the bones heal correctly and straight.
This can be done either through closed reduction, a procedure that involves the use of sedation while the doctor realigns the broken bones, or through open reduction, a surgical procedure required to realign more complex broken bones and performed under anesthesia.
Applying a splint is not a very complicated procedure, but it is a fairly simple one. The doctor will wrap several layers of soft cotton around the injured area, followed by wrapping the area with a plaster cast or fiberglass.
Sometimes, small cuts may be made in the cast to allow for any swelling that may occur due to the injury. The wet cast dries over time, thus providing a protective covering for the fractured bone to heal.
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What is a fracture splint made of?
Molds can be made of plaster or fiberglass.
- The white plaster cast powder is a paste used to cover the soft cotton wrapped around the broken bone. This cast may feel warm at first and settles within 10 to 15 minutes. However, it may take up to two days to dry completely. These types of casts are not waterproof.
- Fiberglass casts: The best thing about these casts is that they come in a variety of colors and have a waterproof outer layer. However, sometimes a doctor may add a waterproof lining to make the cast water-resistant. These casts are not only lighter, but also cooler and stronger than plaster casts.
Types of fracture splints for children
Gypsum can be of many types; however, here are some common types:
- Short arm splints: These types of splints are used for wrist or forearm fractures or surgical procedures. The splint is placed from the knuckles to the elbow area (below the elbow).
- Long arm casts These types of casts usually cover the entire arm and are usually used for elbow and shoulder fractures and sometimes for forearm fractures as well.
- Short splints for ankle or lower leg fractures are the type of splint that will be used. These typically cover the area between the base of the foot and the knee (below the knee).
- Long-leg casts These types of casts are placed from the top of the thigh to the base of the foot and are useful for lower leg, knee and sometimes even ankle fractures.
- A short-leg hip splint, also known as a body cast, typically covers the area from the chest to the knee to keep the tendons and muscles of the hip in place after surgery. The cast is comfortable and aids in a speedy recovery.
Here are some steps to consider when caring for children: fracture splint Long-term and short-term splint care:
- Keep it dry. . . Plaster or fiberglass can weaken the outer area and wet the inner filler, which can cause skin irritation.
- Do not ignore any type of severe or abnormal swelling. Some amount of swelling is normal, however, any type of unusual swelling accompanied by numbness or a tingling sensation that may appear blue or pale should be reported to a doctor immediately.
- Keep the area elevated. Elevate the affected area for the first two days. This helps reduce swelling.
- Do not use any lotion or powder. Using any type of lotion or powder may further irritate your skin rather than soothe it. Refrain from using any of these products!
- Check your skin regularly. Be sure to check your skin for any infections, blisters, or rashes. Report any such symptoms to your doctor if they occur.
- Use a hair dryer for itching. Keep the dryer on cool and place it on the edges to release air inside the cast to soothe the itching.
- Don't let your child stick anything inside the cast. Discourage your child from using any type of object to stick inside the cast to relieve the itching. If the itching is unbearable, your doctor may prescribe medication.
- Let him decorate it, tell his friends, or draw something on the cast to keep him entertained. Make sure there is no additional pressure on the injured area.
- Watch for any type of pus or odor. If you detect any foul odor or strange pus, contact a doctor as this could be a sign of a skin infection.
To know more details about the topic, you can watch the following video:
Article source: How to Care for Kids With Casts
Video source: Tips for those wearing a bone splint
