My son was the first in our family to sustain a fracture. Honestly, I wasn’t too shocked; he’s always been my little thrill-seeker, and it felt like only a matter of time before something outlandish occurred. During a trampoline session at gymnastics, he later recounted attempting a sort of donkey kick and ended up landing with his arms hyperextended. Part of me was relieved not to witness the incident firsthand, as I might have fainted from worry.
Just hours later, he found himself in a splint and sling, awaiting our appointment at the local children’s hospital. While I had never broken a bone as a child, it appears that this is a common rite of passage for many kids—keeping us parents on high alert and filling our hearts with panic. It’s likely that one of your children will experience this scenario, and perhaps more than once if luck isn’t on your side.
What we didn’t foresee was the need to reevaluate his daily life. Being a rather independent 10-year-old, I had grown accustomed to his self-sufficiency. Thankfully, it wasn’t his dominant hand that was affected, or I would have been on bathroom duty, too. However, his normal routine came to a halt, and mine did as well. Piano lessons were canceled, and gymnastics classes were out of the question. Fortunately, he could still manage his schoolwork, but we had to rethink his bathing routine, leading to some awkward moments as I found myself helping him again. With a sensitive scalp, he certainly wasn’t a fan of my vigorous hair-washing technique, much like many tweens.
We learned that his cast would only need to be worn for three weeks. Parenting can be incredibly taxing, but I discovered that we could endure just about anything for that short period—except perhaps a lice outbreak or norovirus. Overall, it turned out to be a minor inconvenience, shorter than I had anticipated. However, for many families, fractures can pose more significant challenges, particularly when they affect the dominant arm or leg, complicating everyday tasks.
Kids tend to get bored and irritable during recovery, and homework still needs to be completed even if one hand is out of commission. Life continues, but managing a child with a broken bone can feel reminiscent of the toddler years, just with a larger kid who might require assistance with hygiene. Here’s what to expect:
Boredom Will Be an Issue
Unfortunately, just when we had acquired a trampoline for Christmas, it became off-limits. Kids are notorious for complaining about boredom, and they will do so regardless of their injury. Keeping them entertained is challenging under normal circumstances; they often think it’s our job to amuse them. So, don’t stress if you hear the dreaded “I’m bored” chant. They would say it even without a fracture. Stock up on movies, books, and perhaps a new coloring book or games for their tablet. A trip to the local library can help gather activities for those couch-bound days, while also reinforcing the idea that reading is more enriching than endless video games.
Caring for the Cast is Manageable
I had braced myself for a nightmare scenario regarding cast care, but it turned out to be fairly straightforward. The medical field has evolved, and it seems they’ve realized parents need some relief. Yes, keeping the cast dry is essential, but many modern casts are waterproof. Since my son preferred showering at night, we made sure to keep it dry—who has three hours to wait for it to dry out? You can purchase specialized bags to cover casts, but we simply used a plastic grocery bag and let him enjoy baths in the tub. He managed to find ways to bathe independently, which minimized the need for my awkward contortionist skills.
Kids often face itching within the cast and may be tempted to insert objects to relieve the discomfort. It’s crucial to hide sharp items around the house to prevent any accidents. The last thing you want is your child to use a skewer to scratch an itch, leading to further complications. It might be helpful to teach your child deep breathing exercises to cope with those itch-induced frustrations.
Sleeping Will Be Uncomfortable Initially
Expect that sleep might be a struggle at first. Your child may express their discomfort at inconvenient hours, and you’ll likely find yourself reminiscing about sleepless nights when they were infants. You might even dig out that giant pregnancy pillow for them to help ease the discomfort. Thankfully, they will eventually find a comfortable sleeping position.
When the Cast Comes Off
When the day arrives to remove the cast, don’t let excitement cloud your expectations. After being immobilized for several weeks, their arm or leg will be sore and difficult to stretch. Instant relief may not come as quickly as you hope. My son took several days to regain full mobility in his arm after the cast was removed. To my surprise, he nearly fainted when the cast came off—a common occurrence according to the physician. It’s understandable; after being encased for weeks, seeing the cast separated from his body was likely unsettling. Thankfully, the nurse was prepared with apple juice for a quick recovery.
In summary, our experience with a fracture was relatively minor, and managing a cast was easier than I had feared. Yet, there were bright spots: my son received considerable attention from friends and family, and he didn’t hesitate to let classmates assist him at school. After all, who wouldn’t want a little extra help? And I now have a solid three weeks to remind him of my role in his recovery. Perhaps it wasn’t as bad as it could have been after all.
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Summary
Experiencing a child’s fracture involves navigating boredom, managing cast care, adapting sleep routines, and supporting recovery. While it may present challenges, it can also lead to unexpected bonding moments and valuable lessons in patience and resilience.
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