Broken Lower Leg in Children: Care Instructions

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 at home?

• 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.