Children and Young People’s Emergency Department
You have been given this information because your child has got a ‘buckle’ or ‘greenstick’ fracture (break) of the radius, one of the forearm bones near the wrist. Young bone is still soft and very flexible. For this reason, instead of breaking all the way through, the bone has a small crack or kink on one side only.
Treatment
This type of injury heals very well in a simple and easy to apply splint rather than a cumbersome plaster.
Most of these injuries heal perfectly well if the splint is worn for three weeks. If however your child is happy, using the arm freely and pain free before this time, it’s fine to remove the splint before the three weeks
It is important to give your child pain relief medication, as you normally would, to help with the pain as it will still be sore for a short period even after the application of the splint
The splint can be removed for bathing or showering this makes things easier at home and will not cause any harm to the broken bone. Simply replace the splint once the skin is completely dry.
If after three weeks the wrist is a little sore and stiff after being used, the splint can be reapplied for comfort although most of the time the splint should be off as much as possible to get the arm back to normal. As the splint comes off it may be necessary to give some painkillers, like when it was first broken.
If after three weeks, the wrist is still sore, very swollen or your child is unhappy, please contact us on the Trauma clinic number below and we will arrange follow up in clinic at the hospital.
It is best to avoid sports and rough and tumble play when wearing the splint and for three weeks after removal.
Contact us
Should you have any worries or concerns following discharge from hospital, please contact the Trauma Clinic on 07970 199841 (Monday to Friday, 9am until 4pm, )
Further information
For further advice and information about your condition, please choose from the following:
- ‘NHS Patient Choices’ website: www.nhs.uk
- ‘Making Lives Better’ patient website: www.patient.info
- Telephone NHS 111
- Contact your General Practitioner
Contact details
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- The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW
Telephone: 01642 850850 - The Friarage, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1JG
Telephone: 01609 779911 - Redcar Primary Care Hospital, West Dyke Road, Redcar, TS10 4NW
Telephone: 01642 511000
If you have any medical concerns or need advice please contact 111, for further information regarding this leaflet please contact [email protected]
This email will be monitored 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]
The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.
Telephone: 01642 850850
