My 10 year old daughter just broke her left wrist in two places. She also broke her right wrist about eight months ago. Both times, she has fallen and broke the fall with her hand. I always thought kids are supposed to have "tough" bones. I am worried that this has happened twice in one year. Do you think I should be worried that she has some kind of problem with her bones?? The doctor at the ER last night did not seem very concerned. We are going to see the orthopedic on Monday, but I am so worried about this!
I have had the same question about my own children. My daughter has had 3 different broken bones under the age of 5. The doctor told me no worries, shes a klutz. She just has bad luck with the way she falls.
She is 10. She's growing. Her bones might be strong, but that doesn't mean they aren't vulnerable. When I was 12 I broke my arm terribly, just by falling and landing on it. I mean, it was no hard fall. Nothing that should have broken it. I remember the Dr. telling my mom it was such a vulnerable time in growth for bone breaks. It does NOT mean she has weak bones!! I really don't think you should worry. The orthopedic will tell you the same thing, I'm sure. It's always a good idea to have girls eating calcium rich foods, as they grow. Add some more to her diet. Getting it from whole foods is SO much better then from a synthetic vitamin. If you want to supplement, make sure the bottle says it's made from whole foods. Good luck!!
I have heard that the wrist is one of the easiest bones in the body to break but I am not a medical professional. Ask the specialist when you see them.
Enough pressure on the strongest bone will break it-it's normal-but sad, too!:(
Oh no - young bones break easy and heal fast. You need to teach her how to "break fall". which means falling with the elbow and wrist in alignment to catch the blow - like on the forearm, not the wirist. This is what they teach in martial arts and it is very effective....
I had hair line fractures in both my wrists at various times from falling backwards and putting a hand out behind me. 3rd grade from jumping off a swing (my sister and I were competing - I won that one), 4th grade from jumping on a stick to break if for the camp fire (bark slipped off), and in middle school when I was ice skating.
Active kids tend to get more injuries. It's just the way it is.
And being active is what helps build bone density.
What would help her the most is if she learns how to fall properly.
Sign her up for taekwondo. Even if she doesn't stay in it long term, learning how to fall will save her wrists from a few more casts in the future.
My son broke his right at / above the wrist last summer. He also did it by catching himself with his hand. The orthopedic doctor told me that this is the most common break in kids because they tend to catch themselves like that. Just check with the orthopedic doctor and see what he says but I wouldn't be too worried. Just make sure she is getting enough calcium.
My daughter broke her fibula in nov, then a week later broke the other one. She is fine now. I too was more worried than the doctors. I think it is easier to break when the growth plates arent fused... i could be wrong. I am sure that your daughter is normal. We saw an orthopedic too, he was not worried either, just joked with my daughter for having to wear two air casts :(
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