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Paediatric fractures
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- 40,000+ babies, children and young people cared for every year
- First private hospital to install a low radiation X-ray scanner
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PAEDIATRIC FRACTURES AT HCA HEALTHCARE UK
Why choose us?
Fractures are common in children and young people and usually nothing to worry about. If your child has fractured a limb, our paediatric orthopaedic experts can help get them active and back to their usual routine as soon as possible. With HCA UK, you’ll have access to leading paediatric orthopaedic consultants and surgeons who are experts in diagnosing and treating fractures in children. A number of these consultants hold prominent positions at London's top teaching hospitals.
It’s the medical term for a partial or complete broken bone in a child. It’s very common for children to experience a fracture at some point during their growth and development, with injuries often sustained while playing sports or through an accident or fall. It’s always difficult to see your child in pain and its natural to worry about how their broken bone will affect them in the longer term. Our paediatric orthopaedic consultants are here to help, using advanced diagnostic equipment and pioneering treatments to give them the best possible chance of making a full and fast recovery.
It can be difficult to tell if your child’s bone is broken or if they have sustained a different kind of injury. Some signs that they may have a fracture are:
- If their limb, wrist or finger is not in normal alignment
- If they have severe bruising or swelling around the possible fracture area
- If they have ongoing pain in any of these areas
Because your child’s bones are soft and not yet fully formed, paediatric fractures can take many different forms:
Avulsion fracture
Also called a chip fracture or a chipped bone, this is when a piece of your child’s bone gets pulled away from the main bone by a tendon or ligament.
Buckle fracture
Also called a Torus fracture, this occurs when your child’s bone has bent or buckled, rather than broken all the way through. These kinds of fracture usually happen when their bone is compressed, for example if they’ve put out their hand to break a fall.
Greenstick fracture
When your child’s bone only breaks on one side, rather than all the way through, it’s called a greenstick fracture. This kind of fracture almost always happens in children younger than 10, when bones are at their most pliable.
Growth plate
A growth plate fracture is a break that has damaged the soft cartilage between two of your child’s bones. Most growth plate fractures don’t cause lasting problems, although some can affect future bone growth if they’re not treated quickly.
Spiral fracture
If your child breaks a bone while twisting a limb, they may sustain a spiral fracture, also known as a toddler’s fracture because they usually occur in toddlers who twist their leg when falling. However, these fractures can also happen in older children.
Avulsion fracture
Also called a chip fracture or a chipped bone, this is when a piece of your child’s bone gets pulled away from the main bone by a tendon or ligament.
Buckle fracture
Also called a Torus fracture, this occurs when your child’s bone has bent or buckled, rather than broken all the way through. These kinds of fracture usually happen when their bone is compressed, for example if they’ve put out their hand to break a fall.
Greenstick fracture
When your child’s bone only breaks on one side, rather than all the way through, it’s called a greenstick fracture. This kind of fracture almost always happens in children younger than 10, when bones are at their most pliable.
Growth plate
A growth plate fracture is a break that has damaged the soft cartilage between two of your child’s bones. Most growth plate fractures don’t cause lasting problems, although some can affect future bone growth if they’re not treated quickly.
Spiral fracture
If your child breaks a bone while twisting a limb, they may sustain a spiral fracture, also known as a toddler’s fracture because they usually occur in toddlers who twist their leg when falling. However, these fractures can also happen in older children.
No 1
in London for private orthopaedic care
40,000+
babies, children and young people cared for every year
20+
paediatric orthopaedic specialists
Fast access to specialists
Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Urgent Care Centre
For acute paediatric injuries
Worried that your child has broken a bone?
Get in touch with a paediatric fracture specialist and get the expert help you need.
Have an acute injury that needs to be seen immediately?
Call 999 or visit The Portland Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre to see a specialist without delay.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
Talk to a paediatric orthopaedical specialist and get the answers you’ve been looking for.
PAEDIATRIC TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
Comprehensive diagnosis options
If you suspect your child has fractured a bone, one of our consultants will discuss their symptoms with you to help make a diagnosis. They’ll also carry out a physical examination followed by imaging, usually an X-ray, to help determine what kind of fracture your child may have, and how serious it might be. An X-Ray can also be used to help to rule out any broken bones.
At The Portland Hospital, our radiology team has EOSedge, a low radiation X-ray scanner, which is ideal for younger patients.
At The Portland Hospital, our radiology team has EOSedge, a low radiation X-ray scanner, which is ideal for younger patients.
PAEDIATRIC FRACTURE TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
Exceptional care, tailored to your child
Your consultant will recommend the best course of treatment, depending on where your child’s fracture is and the type of injury they’ve sustained. Working in expert, multi-skilled teams helps to ensure that your child receives high personalised care at every stage, tailored to deliver the best possible outcomes for their specific case.
There are two main treatment types for fractures, one of which your surgeon is likely to recommend:
Don’t have a referral? Don’t worry.
Our private GPs can refer you to the right specialist for expert diagnosis. You can often get a same- or next-day appointment, so get in touch and see how we can help.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
Where possible, our paediatric orthopaedic consultants will always try to treat your child’s fracture using a non-surgical procedure called a closed reduction.
This involves setting (known as reducing) your child’s bone back into place. After a closed reduction, your child will need to wear a plaster cast on their limb. This will protect the reset bone and help their injury heal. For finger fractures, they’ll need a temporary splint (also called a ‘buddy’) to hold the injured bone in place.
Closed reduction works best when it’s performed soon after a fracture first happens so don’t delay getting any suspected fracture checked by a specialist.
In some cases, surgery may be required known as internal fixation. This involves using pins, screws or a metal plate to keep your child’s fractured bone in place whilst it heals.
When you come for your appointment at The Portland Hospital, you should bring along:
- Your referral letter, if you have or need one
- Copies of any relevant test results that may have already been conducted such as X-rays
- Information about your child’s medical history
- Your insurance information
- Pick-up and drop-off options: Visitors can pick up and drop off patients at the main entrance. No parking is allowed as the driveway is for emergency vehicle access.
- Local parking: There’s no on-site parking and street parking isn’t permitted on a single yellow line between Monday and Saturday, from 8.30am to 6.30pm. However, national and private car parks are available nearby. Please contact the admissions team if you need help to find a local car park near to the hospital.
- Disabled parking: Westminster Council operates a small number of disabled parking bays near the hospital, available to Blue Badge holders for up to four hours. The nearest one is on the corner of Bolsover Street, next to Tesco Express.
Of course. You’re very welcome to go to the anaesthetic room, where you can stay until your child is asleep. At that point, the nurse will accompany you back to your room.
Our patients' stories
Rhiannon’s courage: Recovering after scoliosis surgery
Rhiannon was an active 14-year-old girl. When she occasionally complained to her parents about aches and pains in her back, there was no reason to think it was anything more sinister than sore muscles from one of her dance classes, or something she’d pulled while horse riding.
Mimi’s story: Scoliosis surgery at 58 degrees
As 16-year-old Mimi climbed to the top of the giant Slitherine water slide in Dubai’s Atlantis aquaventure park, she had a momentary change of heart. Just three months before, the teenager from Walton on Thames, Surrey, had undergone major back surgery for scoliosis and started the difficult process of recovery. Seconds after her moment of doubt, she was plunging down the slide with her little sister, while their mum Tamara looked on.
Jack's Spinal Scoliosis story
Jack’s mother Jaime noticed his shoulder blades were slightly uneven in March 2020, at the start of the UK COVID-19 lockdown. After being faced with a long wait for a referral, a chance recommendation led Jaime to turn to The Portland Hospital. Here Jaime shares their story and explain why this surgery was so important.
“Looking back now, I can’t believe how quickly she bounced back… The physio team had her up and out of bed three days after the surgery. And it’s been mostly progress from there.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.