Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was seen in the ED for a broken bone, also called a "fracture." There are different kinds of fractures, depending on how the bone breaks. It might crack, break all the way through, or shatter.
Your child probably has pain, swelling, or bruising over the area. The area might look abnormal, bent, or not its usual shape. If a fracture injures a nerve, this can also cause symptoms in nearby areas, like tingling or weakness.
The doctor might have done a "reduction" to put your child's bone back into place. They might have then put a cast, splint, or brace on that part of their body. This keeps their bone in the correct position so it can heal.
How long it will take your child to heal depends on the body part involved and the type of fracture. Most take weeks to months to heal.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment as instructed. Your child might need to see a specialist called an "orthopedic surgeon."
●Help your child wear the cast, splint, or brace as instructed. This supports their broken bone. Some fractures are put in a cast right away. Others are not put in a cast until after the swelling goes down.
●If your child has a cast, do not get it wet, unless the doctor said it is waterproof.
●Help your child take all their medicines as instructed:
•Give your child non-prescription medicines to relieve pain and swelling, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). Never give aspirin to a child younger than 18 years old.
•If they got a prescription for stronger pain medicines to take for a short time, follow the instructions carefully.
●Help your child prop the injured area on pillows if possible, keeping it above the level of their heart. This might help lessen pain and swelling.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling. Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on your child's skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury.
●Do not smoke around your child or let them be in smoke-filled places.
●Follow all the doctor's instructions about what activities are safe for your child to do. They have to limit activity or movement until the bone is healed. Have your child increase their activity slowly.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if:
•Your child has very bad pain even after taking pain medicines.
•Your child's fingers or toes are numb, tingly, blue, or gray.
•A skin wound near the broken bone bleeds or drains pus.
•Your child has trouble breathing.
•Your child has trouble moving, or cannot move the body part with the broken bone.
•Your child's arm, hand, leg, or foot gets very swollen.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your child's cast gets wet, and it's not supposed to get wet.
●Your child has new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Fractures in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Setting a broken bone in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Surgery to fix a broken bone (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for your child's cast (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a splint (The Basics)
