Fractures - Parent Fact Sheet

Management of Simple Fractures at John Hunter Children’s Hospital - information on simple fracture management for your child in hospital

Hip Spicas - information booklet on care of your child in a hip spica cast (pdf 397K)

Long Leg Casts - information booklet on care of your child in a long leg plaster (pdf 256K)

Orthopaedic Surgeon - information about orthopaedic doctors

Plaster Casts - Plaster Casts and Back slabs Parent Fact Sheet

Traction for Parents - Care of Your Child in Traction Booklet for Parents (pdf 491K)

John Hunter Children’s Hospital Orthopaedic Trauma Services

John Hunter Hospital provides orthopaedic trauma services for children and young people. This includes general orthopaedic surgery, limb surgery and spinal surgery.

Any child or young person that is admitted through the Emergency Department at John Hunter Hospital will be admitted under the General Orthopaedic Consultant on-call for that day.

Your Child and Fractured Bones

Your child’s body is made up of many bones. Altogether these bones are called a skeleton. If your child breaks a bone in any part of the body, except for the head, they will be referred to an orthopaedic doctor.The orthopaedic doctor will discuss treatment options with you and your family and decide on the best management plan for your child.

Plaster Cast Care

Simple Upper and Lower Limb Fractures

Children with simple fractures of their limbs may be treated in several ways.

1. If the fracture is very simple and the bone has not moved, your child will be placed into a plaster cast or back-slab (half a cast held on with bandages) for some protection and support until the fracture is healed.You will be asked to follow up the injury in the Paediatric Orthopaedic Fracture Clinic at the Royal Newcastle Centre or with your GP.
2. If the fracture has caused the bone / bones to move or change shape, your child may need the bone / bones to be manipulated into their original position.Your child will be admitted into the hospital and be given a general anaesthetic.The bone / bones will be repositioned and the limb placed into a plaster cast.Your child will be discharged from hospital on the day of surgery or the next day (depending on swelling, home environment, etc…)
3. If the fracture is more serious, the bone / bones may need to be repositioned and also have some pins, screws and/or plates put into the bone to keep it in place.This is called internal fixation.Your child may stay in hospital 1-3 days after the operation (depending on the surgery).

While in hospital, you and your child may see the following people from the multidisciplinary orthopaedic team:

• A Physiotherapist
• An Occupational Therapist
• A Social Worker
• A Clinical Nurse Consultant
• A Dietician
• Paediatric Community Nurse

Once home, you and your child may be visited by the Paediatric Community Nurse.This will be discussed with you in hospital before your child is discharged.The Paediatric Community Nurse can visit your child in your home if you live in the Newcastle area.The nurse can check on your child’s post-operative condition.

Fractured Tibia/Fibula

Care of Your Child in a Long Leg Plaster (pdf 256K)

Fractured Femurs

Care of Your Child in a Hip Spica for Parents (pdf 397K)

Care of Your Child in Traction for Parents (pdf 491K)