So I took my 19 month old to the pediatric orthopedic doctor today to have his splint removed and have a cast put on. The doctor examined my son and the xrays, and said where the small hairline fracture is, there's really no sense in putting a cast on it since babies/toddler bones are still so soft and heal so quickly, and he'd hate for my son to lose muscle mass (temporarily) if it's not 100% necessary. My son walked a bit for him in the office, with a little limp, and the doctor said let him walk, he won't walk if it hurts, that crawling and scooting are okay, and because of where the break is, it's impossible to make it worse (unless he happens to do the exact same thing that broke it to begin with, which is NOT happening!!) He said he's limping because the muscles and tendons are still probably pretty sore, but give him Motrin and let him heal himself. We go back in 10 days to have him re-xrayed to see if the break is healing itself (if not, THEN he gets a full leg cast). The doc was awesome and seemed very optimistic that he'll be fine.
So of course, as soon as we get back to the house we're house sitting, the kid won't walk and is whining.
I'm going to give it a day to see if he feels any better, is that TOO long to wait? Or not long enough? I just want my baby feeling better!! I hate seeing him crawling around miserable when he's such an active kiddo.
When he first had the splint on, he scooted around for 2 days before full on walking around, think this will be the same way?
What do I do?
@Denise, correct, if he doesn't want to walk, that's okay. If he wants to walk, that's okay too :)
So am I worrying too much? Just give the little guy some time?
Listen to the doctor.
If he "won't" walk....that's OK right? Isn't that what you've spent the last 3 days trying to achieve?
And if it feels good enough to him to walk...that's OK too right?
See how it looks in 10 days.
Hope he's up and around soon! Poor little guy. :(
No, I don't think you're worrying too much - it's a broken bone and at his age, while the bones are still soft - if it doesn't heal or set right - it will just lead to problems down the road...
However, I think you SHOULD listen to the Dr and just keep an eye on him...we now know he has a high tolerance for pain as he was walking on it over the weekend....YIKES!!!! If it hurts too much - he won't walk on it so this is a good thing! :) he MIGHT mellow out! (HAHAHA!! One could only hope!!) So bottom line? I think it will be like with the splint - he will adapt, improvise and overcome - I think he's gonna be a Marine mama!!! :)
Oh sweetie! I am so sorry for your lil man!
I've been Mia for a week or so and didn't know this happened!
Poor lil guy! and Poor mamA!
I wish I had advice, I've never broken a leg or been around a kid who had. It might seem like a step back, but have you thought of, maybe, a walker?
that way he can still maneuver but without too much weight on his little leg?
I would ask the dr. if that is a good idea though1st. Not sure if it would promote his leg muscles growing weak from not using them.
I wish I could help!
Actually it sounds like your Doc is right on the money. My husband is a Chiro and he says that casts can sometimes do more harm than good for hairline fractures. He only advocate casts is the bone is broken in two. After being in a splint for a couple days, he probably will have some soreness when he first starts walking without it. I say if the whining turns to pain crying (you know the difference) that's when you should get concerned. Hope the little guys feels better soon!
Something similar happened to my oldest dd - type of break, not how it happened :) We went to the ER and they did xrays and said def break and did the splint. She was only 2 and wouldn't stop messing with the spint and it basically came apart. So I called the orthopedic dr office and they brought her in right away to put a cast on. When we got there and the Dr. reviewed the xray he said there was no need to put a cast on b/c as you said their age and bones being soft. I told him how clumsy she was and would really prefer something on it b/c I just felt like she would have done more damage without one. He agreed to put a cast on for 2 weeks just to help stabilize it (she is a very clumsy kid) and after 2 weeks took it off and let her be.
See how it goes and maybe you could call and ask if they would do a small amount of time with a cast on, just to help the initial healing process?
Good luck!
I am also a Worrier. I feel for you and hope your baby boy mends well and soon.
Did the doctor discuss the advantages or drawbacks of a brace or ace bandage? Something to help give a little pressure and support, but not discourage use. Also, it may just be feeling vulnerable now that the splint is off. Warm bath with epsom salts? May help with any tenderness he's feeling in the muscles and tendons.
I'll be thinking of you and your little man.
I've had hair line fractures in my wrists (one at a time, thank goodness).
Yeah, it hurts for a bit (maybe a few weeks), but I still had to wear a cast for 8 weeks (I was about 7 yrs old the first time).
I think it's the least serious break you can have.
Bones take 8 weeks in adults to heal, maybe 6 weeks in very young kids.
Can't he wear the splint for a bit longer?
He might be miserable BECAUSE it's slowing him down a bit, but that won't last long especially if he has a high pain tolerance.
It'll take more than a day or two to feel better.
It will get better eventually, but it's not going to happen over night.
when my son broke his leg... each ''''new" thing took a few days to adjust. Cast on... post surgey.. cast off..splint on... splint off. each time e acted like he just broke it again.
unless the pain seems too much i would give him some time
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