Trauma and Orthopaedics
Introduction
Your child has suffered a torus fracture (break) of their wrist. This is also known as a buckle fracture. It is the most common type of fracture in young children.
Young bone is still soft and very flexible. For this reason, instead of breaking all the way through, the bone has a small crack or kink on one side only.
Most of these injuries heal perfectly well if the splint is worn for four weeks. Parents can be fully reassured that there will be no long-term complications from this fracture.
Will my child be in pain?
The injury will still be sore for a short period, even after the splint has been put on. Pain and mild discomfort may persist for 1 to 2 weeks. It is important to give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with the pain, if they can take it (always read the label; do not exceed the recommended dose).
Does the splint need to be worn all of the time?
The splint should be worn all of the time, but it can be removed to wash the arm and check the skin daily.
When can the splint be removed?
You can remove the splint after four weeks. In some instances, the fracture heals within three weeks and the child may be comfortable enough to have the splint off. Therefore, if after three weeks your child appears to be comfortable and is able to use their arm without a splint, there is no reason to wear the splint for the full four weeks.
Your child’s wrist may still be a little sore and stiff after being used. Use a painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if required (always read the label; do not exceed the recommended dose).
School and Sport Activities
It is completely safe for your child to go to school while wearing the splint. However, your child must refrain from sport for at least 3 weeks, but longer if pain persists. Rough and tumble play must be avoided during this time. All contact sports must be avoided for 6 weeks from the date of the injury to allow the bone to fully strengthen.
Follow-up and ‘Open Access’ ED Clinic
Your child will be discharged directly from the ED. You do not need to take your child to their GP for problems relating to this fracture. Instead, we offer an ‘open access’ to our ED clinic.
Parents and carers can self-refer back to the ED clinic if they have ongoing concerns, particularly if pain or functional limitation persists beyond 2 weeks.
To book an open access review appointment, please call the ED secretaries during working hours at 01384 456111 (Ext. 3140).
If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on (01384) 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet.
This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.