Kids of all ages can suffer some pretty nasty bumps and bruises but how do you know when it’s time to head to the doctor because it could be something more serious?
Dr. Michael Sicuranza, an orthopedic surgeon with OSS Health in York County, says that the best indication is if the pain is persistent and consistent it’s time your child is seen.
He also says that kids who play sports often times try to play through the pain which can lead to even more problems down the line.
“Kids just kind of wait until the end of the season to see if it gets better and by the time they present it to us,” says Dr. Sicuranza, “that bone has not healed and it requires surgery to fix it”.
He goes on to say his job is to keep athletes competing, and he and fellow surgeons are not trying to keep anyone out but just want to make sure kids are playing safely.
And parents of kids, of any age, need to make sure that if they suspect a broken bone or fracture has occurred to get it looked at and followed closely, something Dr. Sicuranza can’t stress enough. “Children’s fractures heal very quickly so if you do not address a fracture or it changes position you only have about two or three weeks before that fracture will start healing and you won`t be able to fix it.”
As for the most common breaks he sees in kids?
The doctor says, wrist and ankle injuries are what he sees most often in his office.