This leaflet contains discharge advice following your attendance to the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E) or Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).
Your child has suffered a ‘Torus’ or ‘Buckle’ fracture of their wrist (Broken wrist). This is one of the most common types of fractures in young children.
Discharge advice
Young bones are still soft and very flexible. Due to this reason, instead of breaking all the way through the bone, the bone has a small crack or kink in one side only. This type of fracture heals very well using a removable splint, very occasionally we would apply a below elbow plaster cast.
The splint should be worn for 3 to 6 weeks. Wear it during the day and whilst sleeping.
The removable splint can be removed for bathing/showering without risk to the fracture. Just ensure the unprotected wrist is not used and then re-apply the splint straight away.
Your child’s wrist will be sore even after application of the splint. We advise after 3 weeks to remove the splint and try to start using the wrist as normally as possible. Your child’s wrist can still be sore and stiff after being in the splint. Continue with pain relief as required.
If after 3 weeks, your child's wrist still seems very sore, swollen or they are unwilling to use it please contact the Fracture Clinic to arrange a follow up.
If your child removes the splint before the end of the 3 weeks and appears to be comfortable and can use the wrist freely and normally, there is no reason to force them to wear the splint any longer.
It is best to avoid sports and rough and tumble play when wearing the splint. Continue to avoid the same for a further 2 weeks after removing the splint.
Should you have any worries or concerns following discharge from your local hospital, please contact:
Fracture Line - 8:30am - 5:30pm, Monday to Friday - 0161 778 5372
Emergency Departments (Out of hours):
Fairfield General Hospital - 0161 778 2600
Royal Oldham Hospital - 0161 627 8933
Rochdale Infirmary - 01706 517023
Date of Review: December 2023
Date of Next Review: December 2025
Ref No: PI_M_1229 (Oldham)