Should We Go to the ED?
from Shine Newsletter, Summer 2007
Summer fun often goes hand in hand with injuries — from rollerblading falls to sprains and strains on the baseball field. Knowing when to go to the emergency department (ED) is critical.
Some of the most common non-life-threatening injuries seen in the ED are strains, sprains and fractures. Strains, partial muscle tears, and sprains, partial ligament tears, cause painful swelling and decreased strength. Fractures, on the other hand, involve the breaking of a bone, and can result in extreme pain and inability to move the injured area.
What to Look For
You can often treat strains and sprains at home with pain medication and RICE: rest, ice, compression and elevation. It’s not always easy, however, to tell a sprain from a fracture. Seek medical attention at one of The Children’s Hospital emergency or urgent care locations if you notice any of the following:
- Increasing bruising
- A “bent” or misshapen arm or leg
- Presence of infection (redness, swelling, pain, increasing warmth)
- Significant pain when the injured area is moved or touched
- Numbness in the injured leg
- Trouble standing or bearing weight on injured leg
“It is especially important to seek medical attention if there is swelling, bruising or if your child can’t put any weight on the injured body part,” said Mark A. Erickson, MD, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, chairman of the department of orthopaedic surgery and medical director for the Spine Center at The Children’s Hospital. “Our skilled team of therapists, trainers, doctors and surgeons is specially trained to treat all of the injuries children may sustain during summer play time.”
