As children grow and become more active, there is always the risk of injury. Among the most common injuries faced by children are broken bones and minor sprains. In order to take the necessary steps towards healing, it’s important parents have a clear understanding of the differences between these two types of injuries.
Broken Bones:
A broken bone is a fracture in the bone typically caused by an injury such as a fall or collision. Broken bones can be grouped into two types: Simple Fractures and Compound Fractures.
Simple Fractures
This is the most common type of bone fracture. It occurs when the bone is cracked or broken but still remains in place. Some common causes of simple fractures include falls, contact sports injuries, automobile accidents, or recreational accidents.
Compound Fractures
Compound fractures or open fractures, on the other hand, occur when the bone pierces or breaks through the skin. This type of fracture is more serious and requires immediate medical attention, as the risk of infection is higher.
Minor Sprains:
A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect bones to each other. They are often caused by a sudden twist or impact to a joint, and can be classified as grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3 depending on the severity of the injury.
Grade 1
This type of sprain is generally considered minor and involves a slight stretching of the ligament without any tears. Symptoms tend to include mild swelling, stiffness, and pain in the affected area. Mild sprains can be treated by resting, icing, and immobilizing the affected area.
Grade 2
Grade 2 sprains occur when the ligament is partially torn but not completely detached. These types of sprains tend to have more severe symptoms than grade 1 sprains, including swelling, stiffness, and moderate to severe pain.
Grade 3
This is the most severe type of sprain, in which the ligament is completely torn. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, and an inability to move the affected joint. In some cases, surgery may be required to fix the ligament.
In conclusion, both broken bones and minor sprains are common in children and require immediate attention. Understanding the differences between these two injuries can help parents ensure their child receives the appropriate medical attention, leading to a faster and more complete recovery.
Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care opened in 2006 in San Antonio, Texas. With multiple locations in San Antonio and Dallas, they are open seven days a week with extended evening hours and see walk-in patients or through an online check-in system. They accept most commercial insurance and Medicaid plans.
