Elbow Care

Healthy elbow joints allow us to bend, flex,
reach, and rotate our arms.

Forearm Fractures In Children

Elbow Specialists At Wisconsin Bone & Joint

The physicians at Wisconsin Bone & Joint utilize cutting-edge technology to assess, diagnose and work with patients to develop innovative treatment plans for a variety of elbow conditions and injuries. Our team of physicians are committed to providing you with the best treatment options to alleviate your elbow pain.

Providing trusted Orthopedic care in the community for over 40+ years

At Wisconsin Bone and Joint, we pride ourselves with providing you highly personalized and comprehensive orthopedic care. Our philosophy of direct physician-to-patient care means your physician will be an intrical part of every stage of your care. This commitment to a dedicated continuum-of-care model has made us one of the most trusted and respected practices in Southeast Wisconsin and greater Milwaukee area.

Forearm Fracture in Children

What Is A Forearm Fracture in Children?

The bones of the forearm are the radius and the ulna. If you hold your arm naturally by your side, the ulna is the bone closer to you and the radius is farther away.

Fractures of the forearm can occur near the wrist at the farthest (distal) end of the bone, in the middle of the forearm, or near the elbow at the top (proximal) end of the bone.

A child’s bones are also subject to a unique injury called a growth plate fracture.

Growth plates are made of cartilage near the ends of children’s bones. They help determine the length and shape of the mature bone.

Fractures of both bones in the forearm.

Fractures in a child’s bones begin to heal much more quickly than an adult’s bones. If you suspect a fracture, you should obtain prompt medical attention for the child so that the bones can be set for proper healing.

What Causes A Forearm Fracture in Children?

Children love to run, hop, skip, jump and tumble. But if a child falls onto an outstretched arm, he or she might break one or both of the bones in the forearm.

What Are The Symptoms of A Forearm Fracture in Children?

In most cases, a broken forearm causes severe pain. Your child’s forearm and hand may also feel numb.

What Are The Treatment Options For A Forearm Fracture in Children?

Nonsurgical Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of fracture and the degree of displacement.

Casts support and protect broken bones while they heal.

Some mild fractures, such as buckle fractures, may simply need the support of a splint or cast until they heal.

For more severe fractures that have become angled, your doctor may be able to push (manipulate) the bones into proper alignment without surgery, as long as the bones have not broken through the skin.

A stable fracture, such as a buckle fracture, may require 3 to 4 weeks in a cast. A more serious injury, such as a Monteggia fracture-dislocation, may need to be immobilized for 6 to 10 weeks.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery to align the bones and secure them in place may be required if:

  • The skin is broken
  • The fracture is unstable — the ends of the broken bones will not stay lined up
  • Bone segments have been displaced
  • The bones cannot be aligned properly through manipulation alone
  • The bones have already begun to heal at an angle or in an improper position
  • After the bones are aligned, the physician may use pins, metal implants, or a cast to hold them in place until they have healed.

Our team is here for you

When conservative care and treatment is appropriate, we offer the best, least invasive, least aggressive treatment options to relieve your pain and discomfort. When an injury is more serious and conservative care is not an option, our orthopedic surgeons provide the latest in innovative surgical interventions available with the goal of getting you back to the life you love. Wisconsin Bone & Joint physicians offer orthopedic services at three convenient locations in Mayfair, Glendale and Cedarburg.