UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 DS jumped off the bed yesterday and broke his left tibia, a spiral fracture. We went right to the ER and they did an X-ray and put a splint on. Poor baby is in a lot of pain. As long as he is still, he is mostly ok, but any movement makes him scream. I had him go potty in a urinal jug because getting him to the bathroom is near impossible. We were up most of the night. Anyone who has BTDT, does the pain lessen once a cast is on? Or does it just take a couple days? We will hopefully be getting into see ortho today, I will be calling as soon as they open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I'm so sorry. Poor kid. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I think the pain lessens as the swelling goes down. What are you giving him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 With the broken bones we've had here, the pain has lessened with time. With one break, the pain did lesson once the cast was on, but it was a break in his hand and the doctor had splinted it wrong, thinking it was his pinkie finger. Also, the Ortho tends to want to wait a couple of days before they see us to cast it so the swelling can go down. Did they give him anything for pain? :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AimeeM Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Did they give him anything for pain? If not, I would call the attending (who saw him; I remember we were given a card with the name of the doctor who saw our middle boy, when we took him in with a split chin, in case we needed to call him) or his pediatrician and request something. I'm so sorry for your little one. The only experience I have with a broken bone is our youngest when he fractured his skull, but he wasn't in much pain, oddly enough, and they didn't do anything but observe for a night and follow up with a neurosurgeon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Dd fractured her leg in two places when she was 1. It didn't bother her that much, but a spiral break is different! Yes, I believe the cast will help, mostly because it stabilizes the leg. So sorry for your little one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 Yes, they gave him Tylenol with codeine. I gave it to him every four hours after we got home and through the night. This morning he seemed a tiny bit better so gave him a dose of ibuprofen instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Poor, poor kiddo. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 Dd fractured her leg in two places when she was 1. It didn't bother her that much, but a spiral break is different! Yes, I believe the cast will help, mostly because it stabilizes the leg. So sorry for your little one! That was my thought as well. He hurts the most when I have to move him and his leg sort of dangles. The splint he has only goes to below the knee and I think when his knee moves that hurts him a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 With the broken bones we've had here, the pain has lessened with time. With one break, the pain did lesson once the cast was on, but it was a break in his hand and the doctor had splinted it wrong, thinking it was his pinkie finger. Also, the Ortho tends to want to wait a couple of days before they see us to cast it so the swelling can go down. Did they give him anything for pain? :grouphug: As of yesterday when they splinted his leg, there was hardly any swelling. There was a small knot right where the break was but that is it. All that being said, I have no idea what is going on under the splint right now, it could very well be more swollen today. I guess if will have to see what they say, I am about to call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athomeontheprairie Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I'm so sorry. Hugs to you and your little one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Awww... no advice, but I'm so sorry this happened. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Yes, they gave him Tylenol with codeine. I gave it to him every four hours after we got home and through the night. This morning he seemed a tiny bit better so gave him a dose of ibuprofen instead. It seems I was instructed to not give any NSAIDs, only tylenol, for broken bones. I don't recall why, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 It seems I was instructed to not give any NSAIDs, only tylenol, for broken bones. I don't recall why, though. I think it has to do with the role of prostaglandins (spelling?) and their role in healing bone breaks, but I think the jury is out re whether NSAIDs are ok or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 It seems I was instructed to not give any NSAIDs, only tylenol, for broken bones. I don't recall why, though.Interesting, the ER doc told me I could alternate between the two, but I will look into this. Thanks. Edited to add: I did a quick bit of Googling and it seems that you are right. Apparently the inflammatory response after a break is beneficial and taking an NSAID will lessen it. Makes sense. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plateau Mama Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Yes, they gave him Tylenol with codeine. I gave it to him every four hours after we got home and through the night. This morning he seemed a tiny bit better so gave him a dose of ibuprofen instead. I would not switch to IBU or Tylenol until the pain is much better, like hardly there. also make sure you are giving it to him every 4 hours on the dot. The medicine will build up and keep the pain down. If you wait until he's feeling pain then it takes longer to get the effects of the medicine. Once the pain goes down I would alternate between the Tylenol and the Codeine and if the pain stays down then switch over to Tylenol. Poor guy. My daughter was older when she broke a bone (8/9), but she was in a lot of pain for two weeks. She didn't leave the sofa for two weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 poor thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 There is new research that indicates nsaids can be safely used for short-term management of pain and inflammation in fractures: http://jbjs.org/article.aspx?articleid=1106109 I would absolutely do as the er doctor instructed and alternate the meds as nsaids often seem to be as effective for fracture pain as opiates. The orthopedist may give different instructions as he will know more details about your son's condition. I am so sorry you little guy broke his leg. :( I hope both of you get some rest very soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Yes, the pain should be better once the cast is on, for sure. Also, order one of these cast covers, or two of them if you can, to keep the cast clean and to keep the scratchy cast from irritating his other leg. They come in a ton of cool patterns. They also sell a "cast cooler" or some sort, that I haven't tried. My kids have, between the 3 of them, broken 2 elbows, 1 arm, 1 finger, and 2 vertebrae. It sucks, but you get into a "new normal" and you get by. Hugs. And lots of ibuprofen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 There is new research that indicates nsaids can be safely used for short-term management of pain and inflammation in fractures: http://jbjs.org/article.aspx?articleid=1106109 I would absolutely do as the er doctor instructed and alternate the meds as nsaids often seem to be as effective for fracture pain as opiates. The orthopedist may give different instructions as he will know more details about your son's condition. I am so sorry you little guy broke his leg. :( I hope both of you get some rest very soon! Ugh! It is so hard to know what to do sometimes. I am tempted to keep alternating because the ibuprofen actually seemed to help. At least until he feels a bit better. I don't know.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Oh, and maybe start a stool softener, if he is on the codeine...it can cause pretty bad constipation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 Yes, the pain should be better once the cast is on, for sure. Also, order one of these cast covers, or two of them if you can, to keep the cast clean and to keep the scratchy cast from irritating his other leg. They come in a ton of cool patterns. They also sell a "cast cooler" or some sort, that I haven't tried. My kids have, between the 3 of them, broken 2 elbows, 1 arm, 1 finger, and 2 vertebrae. It sucks, but you get into a "new normal" and you get by. Hugs. And lots of ibuprofen. I am not sure I know what covers you mean. I know about covers that are waterproof for baths, is that what you mean? Or something different? It does suck, because of his age especially. If he were a couple of years older, he might could use crutches. Or, if he were smaller, at least he would be easier to carry around. This is a crummy age for a broken leg (not like there is really a good age). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 Oh, and maybe start a stool softener, if he is on the codeine...it can cause pretty bad constipation. Oh! Good thinking! I know to do this for myself, but totally didn't think of it for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 No advice, just :grouphug: Poor kiddo, and poor mom too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Poor guy. The good news is that 4 yr olds heal really fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimom Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 My husband had a spiral fracture of his tibia and fibula a little over a year ago. It required surgery, but maybe that is not the case typically for pediatrics. I can tell you it is a painful fracture (more so for the wife dealing with the husband ;) ). You might want to see if you can borrow a pediatric wheelchair to limit jostling, save your back, etc. I know what you mean about dealing with hurt husbands. My husband completely tore all three major ligaments on his ankle about. 5 months ago. It was horrible. That's a good idea about the wheelchair. Carrying him around is going to get old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I broke my ankle ice skating when I was 22- it was a fabulously perfect spiral fracture. That was the worst pain I have ever been in in my life- far worse than childbirth imho. I had to wait almost a week to get that cast put on, and it really was almost instant relief for me. That compression and pressure on my leg from the cast kept it stable and made any jostling much more bearable. I didn't need any surgery or rehab, it healed up just fine, though it is now my weather barometer. I hope he can get his cast soon- poor guy. I really thought the cast helped 100%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Poor kid. Things are done differently in the US than here in Canada I have noticed. We don't leave the hospital without a cast, if it is a case that needs a specialist the person is kept in the hospital until it is dealt with. With ds10 his broken arm they needed to handle in the OR (closed reduction, the OR was incase they had to open it up), so he was kept over night in the hospital on morphine for the pain. When his leg was broken they did a closed reduction, casted it and a week later we went back for another closed reduction in the OR. Both times in hospital he was on morphine, came home on T3s and within a few days switched to extra strength motrin (he was 7 for both breaks). I found the pain in his arm was nearly gone once the cast was on (he stayed over night in hospital one more night and then came home the day after casting). His leg was different, they did the 2nd reduction because he was still having pain after 1 week. He still has pain 2.5 years since the break. Based on the specialist it will be lifelong due to the way it healed (he essentially gets a "snake bite" with every step he takes). With his leg break despite being 7 he lacked the coordination to use crutches so we got a free wheelchair rental from the red cross. Our house is very old and doorways small so when he wanted to go into a room that his chair didn't fit in he figured out how to bum scoot around so his legs wouldn't dangle from me carrying him. I am sure once he is in a cast you will find he is in a lot less pain, the stability of a cast helps a ton. I hope feels better quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I am not sure I know what covers you mean. I know about covers that are waterproof for baths, is that what you mean? Or something different? It does suck, because of his age especially. If he were a couple of years older, he might could use crutches. Or, if he were smaller, at least he would be easier to carry around. This is a crummy age for a broken leg (not like there is really a good age). oops! I forgot the link! Here you go! http://www.castcoverz.com/fashion-covers-leg-casts/ These are NOT waterproof, but help keep off the grime, etc. And they do sell the waterproof ones as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 I broke my ankle ice skating when I was 22- it was a fabulously perfect spiral fracture. That was the worst pain I have ever been in in my life- far worse than childbirth imho. I had to wait almost a week to get that cast put on, and it really was almost instant relief for me. That compression and pressure on my leg from the cast kept it stable and made any jostling much more bearable. I didn't need any surgery or rehab, it healed up just fine, though it is now my weather barometer. I hope he can get his cast soon- poor guy. I really thought the cast helped 100%. Thank you for sharing. We go in tomorrow morning although I'm not sure if his leg is swollen because of the splint. So we may have to wait on a cast. I am praying for a cast tomorrow, and he is too. Poor thing has been asking me all day when he gets his cast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 Poor kid. Things are done differently in the US than here in Canada I have noticed. We don't leave the hospital without a cast, if it is a case that needs a specialist the person is kept in the hospital until it is dealt with. With ds10 his broken arm they needed to handle in the OR (closed reduction, the OR was incase they had to open it up), so he was kept over night in the hospital on morphine for the pain. When his leg was broken they did a closed reduction, casted it and a week later we went back for another closed reduction in the OR. Both times in hospital he was on morphine, came home on T3s and within a few days switched to extra strength motrin (he was 7 for both breaks). I found the pain in his arm was nearly gone once the cast was on (he stayed over night in hospital one more night and then came home the day after casting). His leg was different, they did the 2nd reduction because he was still having pain after 1 week. He still has pain 2.5 years since the break. Based on the specialist it will be lifelong due to the way it healed (he essentially gets a "snake bite" with every step he takes). With his leg break despite being 7 he lacked the coordination to use crutches so we got a free wheelchair rental from the red cross. Our house is very old and doorways small so when he wanted to go into a room that his chair didn't fit in he figured out how to bum scoot around so his legs wouldn't dangle from me carrying him. I am sure once he is in a cast you will find he is in a lot less pain, the stability of a cast helps a ton. I hope feels better quickly. That is different than the USA. I'm not sure if I would like that better or not. Thank you for sharing your experience and I'm so sorry your DS is still in pain from his break. That is definitely not an ideal outcome :-( . We live in a trailer so I don't think a wheelchair would be very helpful unfortunately but I'm sure as soon as he isn't hurting he will figure out a way to move around. He is my super wiggly kid and I have never seen him so still. So I know he is really hurting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mermo Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Insurance should cover a wheelchair and walker with wheels, as well as a physical therapist who could come to the house to show you & DS how to hop with the cast (will likely be a full cast up to his upper thigh) Kids are so resilient! Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Insurance should cover a wheelchair and walker with wheels, as well as a physical therapist who could come to the house to show you & DS how to hop with the cast (will likely be a full cast up to his upper thigh) Kids are so resilient! Good luck!! I wouldn't bet on a PT coming to the house. More than likely, you will go to them. FYI- depending on the swelling you may not get the cast tomorrow. They may wait a few more days to put the cast on. Nothing more painful than having a cast put on too soon and it swelling so bad. Have you discussed what color cast he might get with him? Sometimes that thought can help them get through the appointment? One doctor I worked for used to show the kids the colors he had before the appointment so they had something to think on and not on the visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 I wouldn't bet on a PT coming to the house. More than likely, you will go to them. FYI- depending on the swelling you may not get the cast tomorrow. They may wait a few more days to put the cast on. Nothing more painful than having a cast put on too soon and it swelling so bad. Have you discussed what color cast he might get with him? Sometimes that thought can help them get through the appointment? One doctor I worked for used to show the kids the colors he had before the appointment so they had something to think on and not on the visit. I know that they may not be able to put the cast on tomorrow, but I am keeping my fingers crossed!! He has already decided on green :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 My son also broke his leg when his four, but they casted it the same day at urgent care. They were out of the regular casting material, so it was a very big, heavy cast, but I think it really helped with the pain. Once the cast was on he never complained about any pain or itching until the final cast was removed. He was not allowed to put any weight on it for a month, so he had a wheelchair for outside the house, and he scooted around on the floor inside the house. After the pain was gone, I think he actually enjoyed the whole experience and it didn't slow him down a bit. He loved his wheelchair and learned how to do 360s and go backwards. He actually cried when someone from the rental place came to pick it up. He also loved the doctors appointments and was fascinated by the X-ray machine and X-rays, removing and putting on the casts, etc. Throughout the course of treatment he actually had three casts. The first at urgent care. A second regular cast from the orthopedic surgeon where we were sent a few days after the initial break to make sure growth plates weren't damaged, and a final walking cast with a special bottom. I think the experience was actually much harder on us, the parents. We were very concerned about the possible involvement of growth plates until that was ruled out. It was the middle of a snowy winter in MN and the wheelchair was very heavy and just barely fit into the back of our VW. Even with the lightweight cast, he was very heavy to lift in and out of the wheelchair and car. And using the bathroom was difficult for him due to the length and weight of the cast. We had to prop up the leg and it took him much longer than normal, so he wanted one of us to sit with him and tell him stories. For some reason, we got into the habit of telling him all the stories of our childhood injuries and then moved on to siblings, parents, friends, etc. The most difficult part was actually when he got the final cast removed. He absolutely refused to put any weight on the leg or try walking. We were fortunate that we lived in an apartment complex with an indoor hot tub. Due to his age he normally wasn't allowed in it, so it was a special treat, and eventually he was willing to use his leg in the warm water. Best of luck to you and your son! I hope you get a cast tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 We just got home from the doctor and no cast today. He said he didn't want to even unwrap the splint. His opinion was that he didn't want to disturb the bones while they are starting to heal. So, we wait. We will go back in one week and maybe get a cast or wait one more week. He did extend the splint up past his to help add stability. And I have to keep him as still as possible. So far that hasn't been a problem, but I can see that in a few days it may be. His pain is much better today and he slept all night last night so that is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 So sorry this happened, but am glad to hear he's in less pain today. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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