



	Health Resources

Arm or Leg Trauma

Injury Definition

Injuries to a bone, muscle, joint or ligament
Injuries to arms and legs
Types of injuries include the following:

Fractures (broken bones)
Dislocations (bone out of joint)
Sprains - stretches and tears of ligaments
Strains - stretches and tears of muscles (e.g. pulled muscle)
Muscle overuse injuries from sports or exercise (e.g. shin splints of lower leg).
Muscle bruise from a direct blow (e.g. charley horse of thigh muscles)
Bone bruise from a direct blow (e.g. hip or elbow)

See More Appropriate Topic

If involves finger or toe, see TRAUMA, FINGER OR TOE

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)

Serious injury with multiple fractures
Major bleeding that can't be stopped

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

You think your child has a serious injury
Looks like a broken bone or dislocated joint
Swollen elbow or any large swelling
Skin beyond the injury is pale or blue
Age < 1 year old
Severe pain
Won't stand, walk or has a bad limp when walking
Unable to move arm normally (esp. if someone pulled on the arm)
Joint nearest the injury can't be moved fully (opened and closed)
Knee injury with a "snap" or "pop" felt at the time of impact.

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If

You think your child needs to be seen

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home

Bruised muscle or bone
Mild strained (pulled) muscle
Mild sprained (stretched) ligament

Home Care Advice for Mild Pain, Mild Swelling or Mild Limp

Treatment of Strained Muscle, Bruised Muscle or Bruised Bone:
- Apply an ice bag or massage the area with ice for 20 minutes per hour. Repeat for 4 consecutive hours. After 48 hours, use local heat for 10 minutes 3 times per day to help reabsorb the blood.
- Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen 4 times per day for pain. Continue for at least 48 hours.
- Rest the injured part as much as possible for 48 hours.
- For strained muscles, teach the youngster about stretching exercises and conditioning.
Treatment of Mild Sprains of Ankle or Knee
- First aid: immediate compression and ice to reduce bleeding, swelling, and pain.
- Treat with R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) for the first 24 to 48 hours.
- Apply compression with a snug, elastic bandage for 48 hours.
  Numbness, tingling, or increased pain means the bandage is too tight.
- Apply crushed ice in a plastic bag for 20 minutes per hour. Repeat for 4 consecutive hours.
- Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen 4 times per day for pain. Continue for at least 48 hours.
- Keep injured ankle or knee elevated and at rest for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, allow any activity that doesn't cause pain.
Expected Course: Pain and swelling usually peak on day 2 or 3. Swelling is usually gone by 7 days. Pain may take 2 weeks to completely resolve.
Call Your Doctor If
- Pain becomes severe
- Pain is not improving after 3 days
- Pain lasts > 2 weeks
- Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms