Our MD, Dr Justin Withnall, guides parents on helping their child get back on their feet after a fall.
Kids fall. It’s part of growing up.
Most bounce back quickly. Sometimes they don’t.
When they don’t, it’s not always clear what you’re dealing with. Fractures, sprains, strains and dislocations can look similar early on. If you’re unsure, treat it as a fracture until it’s assessed.
With a fracture, pain often doesn’t settle. There may be swelling or bruising, or your child may stop using the arm or leg. Sometimes the shape looks off, or they describe a snap.
Dislocations affect joints like shoulders, elbows or fingers. There’s usually pain, limited movement, and the joint may look out of place.
The first job is to keep things as still and supported as possible. This helps with pain and prevents further injury.
Gently encourage your child to rest the area. Use whatever you have nearby to support it. A towel, jumper, or even your hands can help.
If it’s an arm, a t-shirt can work well as a quick sling. You can lift the hem up and tuck it over the arm to hold it in place against the body. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just supported and comfortable.
If you have a SAM splint, it’s a simple and effective way to support an injured limb, and easy to keep in the car for situations like this.
Try not to straighten or adjust the injury, even if it looks obvious. It can cause more harm.
A cold pack can help with swelling. Wrap it in a cloth and avoid direct contact with skin.
Keep an eye on fingers and toes. If they become pale, cold, numb or tingly, it needs urgent attention.
If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or the injury is severe, call 000.
If there is a bone sticking out, or the limb is clearly deformed, go straight to the Emergency Department.
For anything else, it’s worth getting it checked.
At Kinkaya, we can assess and treat in one visit. If an X-ray is needed, we’ll organise it and guide you through the next step.