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Broken lower leg in children: Overview
Treatment for your child's broken leg will depend on how bad the break is. Your doctor may have put the lower leg in a splint or a cast to allow it to heal or keep it stable until your child sees another doctor. It may take weeks or months for your child's leg to heal. You can help it heal with some care at home.
Healthy habits can help your child heal. Give your child a variety of healthy foods. And don't smoke around your child.
How can you care for your child who has a broken lower leg?
- Put ice or a cold pack on your child's lower leg for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when your child is awake). Put a thin cloth between the ice and your child's cast or splint. Keep the cast or splint dry.
- Follow the cast care instructions the doctor gives you. If your child has a splint, do not take it off unless the doctor tells you to.
- Be safe with medicines. Give pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
- If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask the doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Help your child keep all weight off of the leg unless the doctor tells you not to. Your child will use crutches to walk.
- Prop up your child's leg on pillows when your child sits or lies down in the first few days after the injury. Keep the leg higher than the level of your child's heart. This will help reduce swelling.
- Help your child follow instructions for exercises to keep the leg strong.
- Have your child wiggle their toes often to reduce swelling and stiffness.
Lower Leg Fracture
Broken lower leg: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have chest pain, are short of breath, or you cough up blood.
- You are very sleepy and you have trouble waking up.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have new or worse nausea or vomiting.
- You have new or worse pain.
- Your foot is cool or pale or changes color.
- You have tingling, weakness, or numbness in your toes.
- Your cast or splint feels too tight.
- You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness or swelling in your leg.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You have a problem with your splint or cast.
- You do not get better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.