Common Children’s Wrist Injuries
In the last few decades, children’s hand and wrist injuries have become progressively more common and more severe, as many children have become heavier and/or more actively involved in high impact sports.
The good news is that the majority of children with hand and wrist injuries do very well, provided they receive prompt and thorough medical care from a skilled hand and wrist doctor.
Most Common Children’s Hand & Wrist Injuries
Distal Radius Fractures In Children
Distal radius fractures are the most common pediatric fractures. The radius is the larger of the two bones of the forearm. The end of the radius bone near the wrist is called the distal end. A fracture of the distal radius is when the radius bone breaks near the wrist.
Distal radius fractures are the most common fracture in children. Fractures of the forearm account for more than 40% of all childhood fractures, and three out of four forearm fractures in children are distal radius fractures.
Distal radius fractures often occur when children are playing on the playground or participating in sports. The highest rate of distal radius fracture occurs in boys between 13.5 and 14.5 years of age and in girls between 11.5 and 12.5 years of age
Phalangeal Fractures (“broken fingers”) in Children
Phalangeal fractures – or “broken fingers” – are the second most common fracture type in children. Of all phalangeal fractures, proximal phalanx fractures are most common. The proximal phalanges are the bones that are found at the bottom of the finger, next to the hand.
Fractures of the proximal phalanx can be complicated because of number of muscles and tendons in the fingers, and the force and pressure they put on the finger bones as they try to heal after a break.
For this reason, it is important to see a qualified hand doctor for both proper splinting, as well as correct physical therapy, to ensure that the child regains their range of motion, grip and pinch strength, and does not develop a finger deformity due to improper healing.
Distal Phalanx Fractures (“broken fingertip”) in Children
Distal phalanx fractures in childhood are also extremely common. The distal phalanx is the fingertip bone at the end of the hand.
On average, this type of injury affects younger children the most frequently. Often a distal phalanx fracture results when a child’s finger is slammed in a door, or accidentally shut in a car door. Because a young child’s fingers are smaller, they are more prone to being crushed or fractured when these accidents occur.
Fingertip crush injuries can also often result in injury to the nailbed, if not properly addressed.
Top Oakland County Hand Doctor
It’s a fact of childhood that hand wrist injuries are extremely common in children, as kids explore, climb, play and participate in sports and other activities.
If hand and wrist injuries are unrecognized, ignored or improperly treated in children they can end up with pain, long-term limitation in function and even deformity. But with early recognition and proper treatment by an experienced hand doctor, children’s hands, wrists and fingers can heal completely without complication
If you are suffering from an injury or pain in your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact board certified Oakland County hand surgeon Doctor Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to combat conditions of the hand, wrist and arm.
Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for your condition.
