Fractured leg

A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures of the leg can involve the femur, tibia, fibula or a combination of these.

A child with a fractured leg can experience:

• pain and tenderness
• swelling
• deformity
• abnormal movement at the fracture site.

An x-ray will be taken of your child’s leg to confirm a fracture. Depending on the type of break, your child may go to the operating theatre to repair the fracture and apply a cast.

Care in hospital

• After going to the operating theatre, your child will go to the ward. Their fractured leg will be elevated on pillows or a block. This will help to decrease swelling and pain.
• The nurses will help to control pain and nausea with medicine, either through an IV drip or oral medication such as paracetamol.
• Your child will stay in hospital until their pain is controlled and they are able to mobilise safely—
• usually on crutches.
• They will be seen by the physio during their stay.
• One parent is welcome to stay overnight to help comfort and support your child.

Care at home

Swelling

Keep the leg elevated as much as you can:

• on pillows while in bed
• or a chair while sitting down.

This will help to decrease swelling and pain.

Pain and analgesia

Your child’s pain should be reduced after the fracture is aligned and the plaster is applied. Some pain can be expected for 48 to 72 hours after discharge. This can be controlled with oral pain relieving medicines. 

You will be given advice on which medications are safe to be given to your child, at the time of discharge.

Exercises and mobility

• those parts not enclosed by plaster should be exercised frequently.
• toes should be moved for five minutes out of every waking hour for the first three days.
• knee and hip joints should be moved frequently to avoid stiffness and help blood circulation.
• exercise should help decrease swelling and pain.

Hygiene

Do not wet the cast. The plaster will become soft and weak if allowed to get wet. When showering or bathing, cover the leg with a plastic bag sealed with sticky tape to stop water getting into the plaster. Do not go swimming.

School and sports

Please ask the doctor when your child can return to school. All sports should be avoided until the plaster is removed. Your child should not play contact sport until advised by the doctor.

If your child has difficulty accessing classes, alternative arrangements may need to be made with your school.

Follow up appointment

A follow up appointment will be made for your child prior to discharge. This appointment is usually one week after the operation. An x-ray will be taken just before attending. This will check the alignment and healing of the fracture. A fibreglass layer will be applied to the plaster to strengthen the cast. This is not waterproof.

Remember

Elevate the leg:

• on several pillows while in bed
• on a chair or stool while sitting
• do not push any objects under the case (even for itchiness)
• keep the toes moving constantly
• do not wet the plaster
• do not cut the plaster
• offer pain relieving medication as required.

Contact your doctor immediately or go tothe nearest hospital that treats children if:

• toes swell excessively
• toes go blue or white.

Emergency contact

To ensure your child receives the best possible care in an emergency, you should call 000 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

If you have any concerns or questions please contact your doctor.

Contact Mater Children’s Private Brisbane

Salmon Building,

Raymond Terrace,

South Brisbane QLD 4101

Telephone: 07 3163 8111

www.mater.org.au

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