A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Injuries

Your son fell while riding his bike, and he is complaining that his ankle hurts. Should you try to treat him at home or head for your physician’s office? K. Brooke Pengel, MD, FAAP, Medical Director of the Sports Medicine Program for Young Athletes at The Children’s Hospital, offers some advice on when it’s okay to stay home and what injuries merit a trip to Children’s.

“We know kids have a great deal of energy just by watching them play,” Dr. Pengel said. “Human nature makes children want to explore and push their boundaries— that’s part of being a kid.”

The type of injury your child is likely to experience will vary depending on his or her age. Small injuries like cuts, scrapes, bumps, bruises and minor burns that may occur around the home typically can be treated using a basic first-aid kit, but other injuries may require attention from a pediatric physician.

When to See a Physician

Even with the most diligent attention and safety prevention efforts by parents, injuries will still happen. The Children’s Hospital is here for you and your child for treatment of all types of injuries, including:

• Sprains. Children who participate in sports like soccer or gymnastics, which often involve twisting and jumping techniques, may be more prone to experiencing sprained ankles or wrists. While many people believe that limiting activity until the affected joint feels better is enough to heal the injury, without proper treatment, sprains can take months or years to heal and may tend to recur. For pain relief, use rest, ice, compression with an Ace® bandage and elevation (RICE) until you can see your own family doctor or a physician at Children’s.
• Fractures. While minor broken bones like toes or fingers may not require a cast or brace, your child should still visit a physician to ensure proper treatment. However, children who appear to have a broken arm or leg should receive immediate medical attention from their doctor or a pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Children’s.
• Dislocations. Hard falls, collisions with other people or objects, and pulling motions are responsible for the majority of joint dislocations, which may occur in the fingers or shoulders. Joint dislocations typically require a trip to the emergency department at Children’s so a physician can restore proper joint position as soon as possible. If dislocation recurs, a sports medicine specialist may recommend further treatment, which may include minimally invasive surgery to repair the joint.

“Parents also should immediately bring their child to the emergency department at the Children’s main location or any emergency or urgent Network of Care location any time a significant head injury occurs, especially if the child has a severe headache, is vomiting, has trouble seeing or appears to be confused,” Dr. Pengel said. “Waiting to see a physician in these instances could be dangerous to the child.”

For more information about common childhood injuries and how to care for them, visit www.thechildrenshospital.org and select “Wellness and Safety.”