“How do you know a child's foot is broken?”
My 7 year old slipped in the house when playing. How do you know a child's foot is broken?
23 Answers
X- ray can confirm the presence of any foot fracture.
Our Foot, Ankle & Leg Specialists know what it takes to treat injuries in patients of all ages.
We are Broward County's premier pediatric, adolescent and adult sports medicine practice.
Call the Foot, Ankle & Leg Specialists at South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine.
We accept same day appointments, provide x-ray, ultrasound and fracture care and will advise you on the best course of action - for less than the cost of an urgent care or emergency room visit.
Weston (954) 389-5900
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(If you are experiencing an emergency please call 9-1-1 or immediately go to your nearest emergency room)
Our Foot, Ankle & Leg Specialists know what it takes to treat injuries in patients of all ages.
We are Broward County's premier pediatric, adolescent and adult sports medicine practice.
Call the Foot, Ankle & Leg Specialists at South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine.
We accept same day appointments, provide x-ray, ultrasound and fracture care and will advise you on the best course of action - for less than the cost of an urgent care or emergency room visit.
Weston (954) 389-5900
Pembroke Pines (954) 430-9901
Plantation (954) 720-1530
(If you are experiencing an emergency please call 9-1-1 or immediately go to your nearest emergency room)
The only way to know definitively is with an xray.
X-ray
An X-ray will determine if a bone is broken.
X-ray exam.
If they area not walking on it or really favoring the other foot I would go in and have an xray done on the foot.
Xrays
Take the child to a doctor for an examination and possible X-ray.
Dr. Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
Dr. Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
The most logical answer is determined by what symptoms the child is experiencing. Has he or she stopped playing and continued to complain of the pain and discomfort? The most definitive way is to have a qualified physician/podiatrist examine the person and review an X-ray.
Must have X-rays.
If your child continues to have pain that does not improve then an xray would be needed
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell without an X-ray. In the interim ice and elevate and keep the foot elevated and minimize any walking.
You need to go to urgent care or your pediatrician to get X-rays for proper diagnosis.
Dr. Gorman
Dr. Gorman
I would look for bruising, if the child limps, and see if it does not improve in 2-3 days.
The diagnosis of a foot fracture in a child is not always simple. Thorough examination, history if available, xray evaluation and sometimes MRI’s are necessary.
Typically, you take an X-ray to evaluate the bone.
Jonathan M. Kletz, D.P.M.
Jonathan M. Kletz, D.P.M.
The only way to determine that a child’s foot is broken is by an x-ray. The clinical signs would be swelling and tenderness over the suspected fractured area. Initial treatment should include icing, elevation, and avoidance of walking on that foot until an x-ray can be obtained. I would recommend going to a board-certified Podiatric physician for evaluation as soon as possible.
X-ray.
Usually an x-ray can identify a fracture. However, in a child there are open growth plates which can be confused with a fracture and therefore a doctor's assessment along with the x-rays would be needed to assess a child's foot for a fracture.
Usually if the kid can't put weight on their foot without pain, or if there was a loud pop sound leads to needing an X-ray.
Evaluating a fracture in a child can be difficult due to the growth plates of the bones. I recommend you have your child evaluated by a foot and ankle specialist (podiatrist) for further guidance
Children are flexible and it’s unlikely that a slip would cause a broken bone. It there is worsening pain, swelling, or bruising then you should see your podiatrist to evaluate the area
You can not tell if a person has a fracture without x-rays. Signs that it may be broken are the inability to bear weight, but sometimes patients can still bear weight and walk with a fracture. You should take him in for evaluation by a specialist
