Fracture Care
The Right Treatment, Right from the Start
Broken bones are a part of growing up. Still, it's important to treat them properly from the outset to reduce the risk of future complications. At NewYork-Presbyterian, we have dedicated pediatric emergency room services with specially trained pediatric orthopedic specialists available to assess your child, relieve pain and discomfort, stabilize the fracture, and get you and your family on your way.
- Not an Adult Fracture: We understand that treating children's fractures is different than treating adult fractures. Fractures in children often involve the area where the bone grows, called growth plates. This type of pediatric fracture can disturb bone growth, contributing to limitations with standing, walking, bending, lifting, and climbing stairs, and can also create disfiguring deformities. That's why it's important for your child to receive treatment from a pediatric orthopedic specialist.
- Imaging Technologies for an Accurate Diagnosis: While we diagnose many fractures with a regular x-ray, we use more sophisticated imaging techniques (such as CT or MRI scans) when needed.
- Customized Treatment: Your child's treatment depends on the type of fracture. With a simple forearm fracture, for example, we may be able to guide the bones into proper alignment without surgery. If surgery is needed, a surgeon will align the bones and may use pins or a cast to hold them in place until they've healed.
- The Road to Recovery: If your child needs physical or occupational therapy after a fracture has healed, your doctor will give you a prescription for that care, which your child can receive at one of our centers or at a location near your home.