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Broken Bone Vs Sprain: What To Look For And When To Act

This past weekend Sissy began a new journey for our family. I officially became a soccer mom when my four year old started her very first season of soccer. She’s excited, I am excited, the whole family is excited and I can’t wait to see her in her tiny uniform. But I’ll let you in on a little secret – I am also paranoid that entry into this new world of team sports will lead to our family’s first major injury and a visit to the ER. How do you know when an injury is a broken bone vs sprain?

First Day Playing Soccer

This post is sponsored by Kids Urgent Care.

So far this family has been serious-accident free. Sure, the kids have scrapped their knees and cried buckets of tears, but nothing resulting in any serious. As we dive head-first into the world of team sports, that could change. (By the way, I know that my ballerina could also be the first to injure herself, but team sports worry me more than a dance studio.)

For those of us who have little to no experience with broken bones, I spoke with Dr. Patricia Lewis from Kids Urgent Care to find out what we should look for in case of an injury. Is it a broken bone vs sprain, when to let it rest and when to take action? 

Broken Bone vs Sprain

Broken Bone vs Sprain

Outside of a very obvious break where you can see the displacement or hear a break or pop (Eek!), Dr. Lewis told me that it is often very hard to tell, even for a doctor. Both a break and a sprain can can look the same with swelling, pain and point tenderness, and very often kids don’t want to move. The only way to know for sure if it is a broken bone vs sprain is with an x-ray.

“People often think, ‘If it was broken then my child wouldn’t be able do XYZ.’ But kids will surprise you. I once had a two year old walking around, and it turned out the child’s leg was broken,” Dr. Lewis said.

The good news is that even if there is a break, there is usually no harm in waiting a few days. The key is to practice RICE – rest, ice, compression and elevate. If symptoms don’t improve after a couple of days with RICE and Ibuprofen, it’s time to get things checked out.  

Dr. Lewis also noted that you should always treat an injury with ice for the first 24 hours and heat after that. 

Wether the injury is a break or a sprain, it is important to give the body time to heal before returning to a sport. A bad sprain can take weeks to heal, and longer if it is reinjured before it has a chance to heal all the way.

Although you can’t fully prevent an injury like a break or sprain, there are things you can do to keep your child in tip-top shape.

  • Make sure kids stretch before play.
  • Pay attention to how much kids are doing, stress injuries are often associated with more than one sport.
  • Make sure kids aren’t getting dehydrated, which can make them more prone to injury.

Wish us luck as my family embarks on its first season of team sports. Just in case we need it, we have a newly opened Kids Urgent Care that specializes in pediatric urgent-care needs. Although I hope I don’t have to visit one any time soon, it is nice to know there is a place we can go when the doctor is closed to have our kids checked out for a variety of injuries and illnesses including minor breaks and sprains until midnight. 

Kids Urgent Care 2

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a $50 gift card to Academy Sports to help you prepare for your kiddo’s sports season. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More Kids Health Tips

5 Tips to Prevent Swimmers Ear

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Giveaways, Orlando Florida Hospital, Orlando

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. M james says

    September 16, 2016 at 10:20 am

    I have 3 sons. Only one son has broken bones. Broke radial bone in arm & broken rib within 6 mths of each other playing hockey.

    Reply
  2. Renee Walters says

    September 16, 2016 at 6:36 pm

    My son does gymnastics. Thank goodness blisters are the only injury he has endured.

    Reply
  3. erin dear says

    September 18, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    Luckily all three of my kids have gone this far without any broken bones! Currently doing hockey, gymnastics and track.

    Reply
  4. Christine Yvonne Groce says

    September 19, 2016 at 10:27 am

    I have 6 grandchildren and 1 is 6′ 8″ and a basketball player, 3 are gymnasts and there are always injuries of some sort. Luckily we have escaped any broken bones or really serious ones.

    Reply
  5. Adrienne Gordon says

    September 19, 2016 at 11:06 am

    Mine do cross country, no bones broken so far.

    Reply
  6. Margaret Smith says

    September 19, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    I have a son who is in swimming…not broken bones, but dislocated. Also a son who plays hockey, who had broken his nose.

    Reply
  7. angela cunningham says

    September 19, 2016 at 3:53 pm

    my son dose soccer and heb roke his arm

    Reply
  8. Ann Fantom says

    September 19, 2016 at 4:19 pm

    My daughter is into gymnastics. She hasn’t broken any bones thank goodness

    Reply
  9. Tina W says

    September 19, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    Baseball. And yes to broken bones, but it was from a skateboard not playiing sports.

    Reply
  10. Teresa Martin says

    September 19, 2016 at 6:45 pm

    My Grandaughter is a cheerleader and no broken bones so far.

    Reply
  11. harolde says

    September 19, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    Never broke a bone, they love to play Volleyball.

    Reply
  12. E Moran says

    September 19, 2016 at 9:41 pm

    Both of my girls play soccer and luckily we haven’t had any serious injuries yet. I sprained my ankle playing volleyball in HS and broke my arm in first grade sledding, though!

    Reply
  13. E Moran says

    September 19, 2016 at 10:08 pm

    Both of my daughters play soccer, but fortunately we haven’t had any injuries. I sprained my ankle playing high school volleyball and broke my arm sledding in the first grade.

    Reply
  14. Rebecca Graham says

    September 20, 2016 at 2:06 am

    Football. My kids have never broken a bone but I have broken both wrists, left finger, elbow,and ribs.

    Reply
  15. Ellie Wright says

    September 20, 2016 at 2:35 am

    My boys play baseball and football. At my oldest’s first game of the season, first quarter, he broke his hand.

    Reply
  16. Christina Gould says

    September 20, 2016 at 7:14 am

    My daughter used to play softball, but she never had a broken bone, knock on wood. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  17. Cynthia C says

    September 20, 2016 at 7:36 am

    My kids played baseball, soccer and lacrosse and never experienced a break.

    Reply
  18. Sandy Klocinski says

    September 20, 2016 at 11:27 am

    My daughter played softball. Never had a break

    Reply
  19. nickie says

    September 20, 2016 at 11:44 am

    My son does martial arts and no breaks, thank goodness

    Reply
  20. carol says

    September 20, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    my grandson does baseball and basketball. my daughter is lucky that there hasnt been any broken bones

    Reply
  21. Dana Rodriguez says

    September 20, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    No kids here but I have broken a bone or two.

    Reply
  22. Tari Lawson says

    September 20, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    My son wrestled. Thankfully we didn’t have any broken bones.

    Reply
  23. Crystal F says

    September 20, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    My oldest daughter plays travel softball but thankfully has not broken any bones. My youngest daughter doesn’t really play any sports but has broken her right arm twice. Go figure! lol

    Reply
  24. Ashley C says

    September 20, 2016 at 7:58 pm

    No broken bones here! We play tennis!

    Reply
  25. Tabathia B says

    September 20, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    My daughter participates in ballet and my other one plays volleyball and we have had no broken bones

    Reply
  26. SHAYNA BROOKMAN says

    September 21, 2016 at 6:25 am

    My son plays soccer, no broken bones yet ! Thank goodness 🙂

    Reply
  27. Sonya Morris says

    September 21, 2016 at 11:23 am

    My daughter played volleyball and basketball. We are long overdue for a broken bone but I am hoping we never have one!

    Reply
  28. Peter G says

    September 21, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    Son plays sports from a very young age, no bones broken but some sprains.

    Reply
  29. Stephanie Phelps says

    September 21, 2016 at 9:11 pm

    Oh yes they play baseball and soccer but the broken bone was not from either of those!!

    Reply
  30. carol clark says

    September 21, 2016 at 11:59 pm

    yes she plays baseball and no she has no broken bones

    Reply
  31. Cheryl B says

    September 22, 2016 at 8:19 pm

    My kiddos play football, cross country and baseball. My youngest son had a broken leg, not sports related.

    Reply
  32. Brittney House says

    September 22, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    My son plays baseball. Luckily no broken bones for him.

    Reply
  33. Vanessa says

    September 23, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    My son plays baseball and no broken bones yet

    Reply
  34. LaTanya says

    September 24, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    my son plays soccer and has not broken a bone

    Reply
  35. katherine says

    September 24, 2016 at 6:10 pm

    Basketball football and track and a broken nose

    Reply
  36. E says

    September 24, 2016 at 7:23 pm

    My oldest plays baseball and a little soccer. So far no broken bones.

    Reply
  37. Karla R. says

    September 24, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    My daughter plays soccer and luckily no broken bones.

    Reply
  38. Bridget Combs says

    September 25, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    My boys are big football players but have never broken a bone. I, on the other hand, broke my foot last week.

    Reply
  39. Mary Cloud says

    September 25, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    My kids don’t play sports yet but my son wants to. Thankfully no broken bones yet.

    Reply
  40. Stephanie Liske says

    September 26, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    Both my kids did lots of sports. My daughter injured each of her arms two different years, ended up in a cast both times. She had indented bones one time, and the other it was a hairline fracture. Both injuries were just on the playground, not during sports.

    Reply
  41. Denise Sachs says

    September 27, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    My youngest son just started soccer and has never had a broken bone.

    Reply
  42. Erica B. says

    September 29, 2016 at 2:34 am

    Right now, just swimming & gymnastics. Nothing broken yet.

    Reply
  43. Evie B. says

    September 29, 2016 at 12:42 pm

    Between them, we do soccer, baseball and lacrosse.

    Reply
  44. Karen M says

    September 29, 2016 at 9:36 pm

    My older son played baseball for many years and got hit in the hand with a baseball and had to have surgery on one of his fingers. Hard to see your child hurting.

    Reply
  45. Danielle Day says

    September 29, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    Baseball and nonce a while ago it happens..

    Reply
  46. Aaron says

    September 30, 2016 at 3:58 am

    They do not play any sports and have never broken bones.

    Reply
  47. Nicole C says

    September 30, 2016 at 7:43 am

    My daughter doesn’t play any sports, but yes, she has had a broken bone.

    Reply
  48. GB says

    September 30, 2016 at 11:14 am

    No broken bones! They play basketball and softball.

    Reply
  49. Jillian Too says

    September 30, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    Our little guy plays soccer.

    Reply
    • Jillian Too says

      September 30, 2016 at 9:50 pm

      We’re lucky enough to not have any broken bones.

      Reply
  50. Sherri Fristoe says

    October 1, 2016 at 3:26 am

    My 4 nieces are dancers, and one had a broken hand. One had a broken foot.. And one had shoulder surgery.

    Reply
  51. Lisa V. says

    October 1, 2016 at 7:28 am

    My daughter played soccer and has broken a bone. My granddaughter is in swimming.

    Reply
  52. susan smoaks says

    October 1, 2016 at 8:31 am

    they play basketball and soccer. we haven’t had any broken bones yet. thank God.

    Reply
  53. Barbara Fox says

    October 1, 2016 at 10:13 am

    My kids played baseball, basketball, football, & cheerleading but never broke any bones. Me, on the other hand broke my wrist when I was standing on my head 🙂

    Reply
  54. Robin says

    October 1, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    my son plays soccer, he has never had a broken bone.

    Reply
  55. vicki lorenz says

    October 1, 2016 at 1:47 pm

    Both my grandson have played softball and soccer. Thank goodness neither have had a broken bone.

    Reply
  56. Sonya Allstun says

    October 1, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    baseball and football knock on wood no broken bones yet

    Reply
  57. Lorri K says

    October 1, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    My kids do Gymnastics, Skating (ice), and soccer. No major injuries yet, but they still have time to play hard, work hard.

    Reply
  58. Laurie Emerson says

    October 1, 2016 at 10:28 pm

    My daughter plays soccer and softball and has sprained her knee and ankles several times.

    Reply
  59. karen mayernick says

    October 1, 2016 at 11:20 pm

    My son is 11. He plays baseball and soccer. No broken bones yet, but I have seen some happen. Great prize! Thanks so much for the opportunity!

    Reply
  60. Trisha McKee says

    October 2, 2016 at 12:18 am

    My daughter is in softball. No broken bones yet.

    Reply
  61. Carolyn Daley says

    October 2, 2016 at 1:27 am

    I do not have any kids. My nephew has never broken a bone and he just started playing soccer a few months ago.

    Reply
  62. Janine Hwang says

    October 2, 2016 at 2:29 am

    My kids are still little, so no sports yet, and no broken bones either. Knock on wood!

    Reply
  63. Jason Vaughn says

    October 2, 2016 at 6:53 am

    No sports yet.

    Reply
  64. Stephanie Larison says

    October 2, 2016 at 7:39 am

    My daughter is into softball right now. She hasn’t had any broken bones yet, lol but I know it’s bound to happen eventually.

    Reply
  65. AEKZ2 says

    October 2, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    When my daughter was 1, she broke her elbow falling off the bed. She’s doing tumbling.

    Reply
  66. Rachel Freer says

    October 2, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    My son plays soccer. Luckily, he has not broken anything yet.

    Reply
  67. Breanne says

    October 2, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    I don’t have any children. I played softball when I was little and never broke a bone.

    Reply
  68. Amy Deeter says

    October 2, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    My son plays football and has played soccer.My daughter was in cheer leading,soccer, and basketball. They never had a broken bone

    Reply
  69. Amy Deeter says

    October 2, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    i love academy sports a whole lot

    Reply
  70. Francine Anchondo says

    October 2, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    My kids play soccer . They also do karate and bowling.. No they havent broken anything yet and hopefully never do.

    Reply
  71. Susan Smith says

    October 2, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    My kids played soccer and baseball and they never had a broken bone.

    Reply
  72. Kimberly Kihega says

    October 2, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    My boys play soccer and tennis. My oldest has broken several bones, but my youngest has yet too!

    Reply
  73. Kathy Hanley says

    October 2, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    Soccer, Lacrosse, Tennis, Swim Team – no broken bones yet but a scare last year with a sprained wrist.

    Reply
  74. Steve Weber says

    October 2, 2016 at 9:33 pm

    NO kids.. but my nephew plays soccer– thank goodness he never has broken a bone yet.

    Reply
  75. Sand says

    October 2, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    They play soccer. No broken bones yet!

    Reply
  76. BRYAN E. says

    October 2, 2016 at 10:40 pm

    My daughter once broke her hand playing basketball i.e. took a fall.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Jen

I'm an Orlando, FL mom, a blogger and a social media junkie. I love anything crafty, Disney, Gator football, chocolate, green living, flip-flops and family movie nights.
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