About your visit
Your child has broken their arm, and we have placed the arm in a cast to stabilise and support the arm while the fracture heals.
Appointments and the plan for your child’s treatment can be found in your child’s medical record.
When you get home
The hand may be swollen and feel sore
It is normal for your child to feel slight pain or discomfort around the fracture in the beginning. You child’s fingers and wrist may be a bit swollen and the colour of the skin might change.
Use a sling when needed
If the cast only covers the lower arm, your child should use the sling during the first 24 hours. Throw away the sling when your child is done using it. If the cast covers the whole arm, your child should use the sling as needed. Some people only use it the first couple of days, while others use it for longer. Your child should use the sling when they are tired and need to rest their arm.
Remove the sling when it is time to sleep.
Give your child pain-relieving medicine, if necessary
You can give your child pain-relieving medicine if they are in pain. Pain-relieving medicine for children can be bought over the counter. Only give your child the amount of pain reliever recommended on the package.
Keep the arm elevated
If your child complains of pain or swelling, make sure they keep the arm above heart level for 1-2 hours. This can be done by lying down with the arm resting against the backrest of a sofa or a wall, possibly with a few pillows under the arm for additional support.
The cast should not be too tight
The cast should not be too tight. The joints outside the cast must be able to move freely without bumping into the cast. Your child must be able to:
Make sure your child uses their arm but avoids certain sports and games
Your child should move their arm as much as possible.
However, there are some limitations as the cast might get damaged:
- Avoid boisterous games like tag and pillow fights.
- Avoid contact sports such as football and karate.
- Avoid swimming as the plaster must not get wet.
- Make sure your child does not lift or carry heavy objects or dangle by their arms.
- Make sure that no grime such as sand or soil gets under the cast.
Protect the cast when bathing
Avoid getting the cast wet. We recommend that the cast be covered in a plastic bag when your child bathes.
Contact us or the 1813 helpline in case of problems or deterioration
Problems can occur, such as:
- your child does not start using the arm within 1 week
- the swelling gets worse and the cast begins to tighten
- your child’s fingers become very hot or cold compared to the other hand
- a tingling or prickling sensation develops in your child’s fingers
- the pain from the fracture does not subside
- the cast irritates or chafes the skin
- the cast cracks or becomes damaged
- the cast becomes loose.
If any of the above happens, contact us or the 1813 emergency hotline.
Worth knowing