A broken bone, or fracture, occurs when there is a partial or complete break in a bone. A broken bone is also called a fracture, and these terms mean the same thing. Broken bones can happen in any bone in the body. Broken bones may occur as a result of a fall, injury or due to a direct blow to the body.

Why a broken bone can be a big deal for kids and teens:

• Kids ages 1-17 have developing growth plates.
• Growth plate injuries can lead to long-term problems: shortening, deformities, arthritis
• Doctors who see mostly adults aren't always looking for growth plates in children and might miss them.

If your child or adolescent falls or is injured, here are some common signs and symptoms of a broken bone:

• A snapping sound during the injury
• Swelling, bruising or tenderness around the injured body part
• It hurts when you or your child moves, touches or presses on it.
• The injured body part doesn't look normal and might even be bent the wrong way. With a severe break, the bone might come right through the skin.

Our orthopedics, sports medicine and spine specialists at Children’s Wisconsin treat all types of broken bones.

When a broken bone  occurs, it is classified as either open or closed:

• Open fracture (also called compound fracture): The bone is visible through the skin, or a deep wound that exposes the bone through the skin.
• Closed fracture (also called simple fracture): The bone is broken, but the skin is intact.

Some different types of broken bones  are:

• Growth Plate Fractures (Salter Harris Fractures): A common broken bone in a child or adolescent as it involves the growth plate.
• Greenstick: Incomplete fracture. The broken bone is not completely separated.
• Transverse: The break is in a straight line across the bone.
• Spiral: The break spirals around the bone; common in a twisting injury.
• Oblique: Diagonal break across the bone.
• Compression: The bone is crushed, causing the broken bone to be wider or flatter in appearance.
• Comminuted: The break is in three or more pieces.

Our specialists use a combination of history, physical exam and diagnostic test for diagnosis of a broken bone (fracture). These tests include:

• X-ray
• CT Scan
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

In addition to rest and at-home care, there are many additional ways Children’s Wisconsin experts care for broken bones, including:

• Athletic training
• Bracing
• Casting
• Chiropractic care
• Physical therapy
• Sports psychology
• Surgery

Expert pediatric care: Kids are not just little adults. When a child or teen breaks a bone, they need specific treatment because of their developing bones, especially if the break involves the growth plate in the bone. Our pediatric orthopedic specialists have the advanced training and expertise to recognize and treat children's fractures and minimize the risk of problems that could affect growth and function. We understand that the right treatment depends on the location of the injury, the type of break and the patient's age. Some breaks will heal well with limited care, but others will need surgery to heal correctly. At Children’s Wisconsin, every doctor specializes in 100% kids and teens, making sure their growing bodies are treated appropriately.