Fractures and Osteogenesis Imperfecta

If you have a child with brittle bones, it is important to have some basic knowledge about fractures and osteogenesis imperfecta. Fractures are especially difficult to handle when they happen to infants, because determining the location of the fracture can be tricky. However, once the fractured bone has been located, there are some guidelines that parents can follow to care for fractures at home, without needing to take the child to an orthopedic surgeon every time.

Living With Osteogenesis Imperfecta

An Introduction to Fractures and Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Dealing with your child's fractures can be extremely difficult. Nothing pulls harder at a parent's heart than to repeatedly witness his or her child experiencing the pain of a fractured bone. Try to remain calm and comfort your child as best as you can.

How does one know when a baby with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) has a fracture? In most instances, your child will cry out suddenly and loudly. Sometimes you might actually hear the snap of the bone. If you suspect a fracture, first try to calm your child. When the crying has stopped, very slowly and carefully experiment with gently touching or barely lifting each limb. You can usually pinpoint the fracture fairly accurately. When you lift or move the fractured bone even slightly, your child will wince or cry out. This will help you determine where the fracture has occurred. Be especially careful when moving your child to immobilize this bone as much as possible.

There are different types of fractures; some are extremely painful, while others are more tolerable. With fractures of the arm, many children hold the sore arm against their bodies in an effort to self-splint it. With some fractures, you might notice swelling or bruising of the area or warmness of the skin around the area.

(Fractures and Osteogenesis Imperfecta Continued: Page 2)