Help!! How do you care for an 11 month old with a hairline fracture?

Question

My 11 month old son has a hairline fracture in his right leg. He just got his splint taken off and has received his cast today. Any tips on how to make him more comfortable and also how can I help him sleep at night. He was up basically all night for the past 2 nights.

Answer 1

Oh goodness, sorry to hear about that. Its so hard to make them comfortable with a cast. My one big suggestion is....BEAN BAG! They are great for kids with casts, easy to move, comfortable, and flexable to anyway that they need to be positioned. Be sure to give him whatever the doc prescribed for pain when you think he needs it (IF IT IS DUE! I just wanted to add that! LOL ). Or even maybe giving tylenol (you would have to make sure with the doc that it is ok to give it with his other meds first) at night. Tylenol works great on bone pain ( I work on an orthopedic unit) here are some other things I found that may help out. Good luck to you and your family and I hope your little one is feeling better soon. :)



~Change the position of the arm or leg about every
two hours. This keeps the cast from putting too
much pressure on the skin in any area. Observe
the skin under the top edge of the cast. An early
sign of too much pressure is indented skin. A
later sign is swollen or discolored fingers or toes.


Keep your child safe and comfortable by using basic care techniques.

You can apply moleskin padding to the edges of the cut-out open area around your child's genitals and bottom if these hard edges irritate or hurt your child's skin. Cut 4-inch pieces of moleskin. Place one end of a piece under the inside edge of the cast. Wrap the other end up onto the cast and tape it in place. No tape should be touching your child's skin. Partially overlap the pieces until you have made a soft, padded edge all around the openings of the cast. See an illustration of a spica cast with padded edges.
Check for swelling. Your child's toes should be pink and warm (not hot). He or she should be able to wiggle them and feel them being touched.
Change your child's position every 2 to 4 hours. Regular movement helps to relieve pressure areas under the cast to help prevent irritation and sores from developing. Occasionally, put your child in a semi-sitting position by propping his or her head on pillows or with a beanbag chair.
Never move or lift your child using the crossbar of the cast. This type of movement can harm the cast or disturb your child's hip placement.
Prevent pressure sores from developing by keeping your child's feet off flat surfaces, such as the floor or bed mattress, for long periods. Place a pillow, rolled up towel, or other soft object:
Under the top front of the ankles while your child is lying on his or her stomach.
Beneath the ankles and under the calf of the leg while your child is lying on his or her back.
Move your child with care. Bend your knees and keep your back straight when lifting your child. As you lift, support the weight of the cast with one arm cradled around your child's arms and the other around his or her buttocks. When two people move your child, one person lifts under the shoulders, the other lifts under the legs. Lift together on the count of three.
Provide comfortable clothing. Your child can wear oversized shirts, skirts, and dresses over the cast once it is dry. You can adapt clothing that goes over the legs and torso, such as shorts or pants, by cutting the side seams. You can then apply snaps or stick-on strips, such as Velcro, to the seams. The sides can be attached to each other or to the sides of the cast.
Your child needs physical contact with you, especially while he or she is in a cast. As long as you make sure to take basic safety measures, you can and should continue to hold, interact with, and provide stimulating activities for your child.

Encourage your child's involvement with your family.

Move your child around to different areas of the house throughout the day. Try padding a wagon or stroller with pillows and blankets to move your child around the house. Older children can use a wheelchair with an adjustable back, which you can rent from a medical supply house or hospital. You may want to try using an outdoor reclining lawn chair to move your child around in your home or yard.
Go for walks with your child. Many strollers are made with adjustable backs to recline as needed. Make sure your child is secured with safety belts or straps.
Go for car rides. Your young child should always stay in the back seat and in a car seat. Depending on your child's leg positions, he or she may need a specially designed car seat. Ask your doctor about where to buy or rent one locally. Usually they are available through hospitals or medical supply houses. Older children may need to be positioned and safely secured lying down in the back seat.

Answer 2

Poor little guy. There's no way you can make him understand. I would not take him into bed with me - it is too hard to get him back in his own bed when he is well. If you have a rocker, holding him and rocking is good. If he is still in a crib, you could sit alongside the crib and gently rub his back, sing to him, just be there until the pain goes away. These little ones just don't understand why they can't be on the go. It's up to Mom to make it better. I hope there is some way you can rest when he sleeps or naps - if not, you have the sympathy of other Mom's going through something similar or those of us who have paid our dues.

Answer 3

This is why you are paying a Dr. and/or E.R. for. They should have given you printed-out instructions, especially since he is so small. Phone them and get Professional advice - it's Your Money and their responsibility.