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What Do These X-ray Findings Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 20 Jan 2016

Question: My son fell in play area and got his left arm fractured (ulna and radius). Doctors did alignment and put him on cast and sling. Since he is 4 years old, he is not keeping the sling all time and while playing (with toys inside home), the sling is getting loosened. My worry is that will it delay the healing process. Does the kid always need to be in sling while cast. Please advise.

Please advise when can i expect a response.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sling can be removed once in a while.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I have seen the X-rays attached. The bone alignment is good in the cast. The purpose of sling is to give rest to the arm and lesser the movement earlier will be the healing. If he removes the sling for sometime, it does not matter. You can get a check X-ray done after every 2 weeks to see the alignment. In young children the healing is good and normally the bone heals completely in 4-6 weeks.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (9 minutes later)

Thanks for your response. Actually two bones (ulna and radius) has fractured. One bone got aligned successfully and not the other one. Is it ok for the second one as well? Please advise

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get an X-ray every 2 weeks,

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
One of the fractured bones is aligned correctly. The second bone is less aligned but it will heal and the bone will become normal after remodelling in next 4-5 months.
It is best to get an X-ray done every 2 weeks and in case the second bone is more mal- aligned then a surgical fixation might be needed.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (7 minutes later)

Thanks a lot for your response. We are going for a follow up visit this week. One last thing, my son will be able to use his left arm as usual (even if it requires surgical fixation) within 2 to 3 months right. Sorry to ask this but as a concerning father - I was forced to ask.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes. He will be able to use the arm normally.

Detailed Answer:
Yes. He will be able to use his left arm normally after it heals even if surgical fixation is required. Please do not worry
Regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar