LEG INJURY
Injury Definition
- Injuries to leg.
- Injuries to a bone, muscle, joint or ligament.
Types of Leg Injuries
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Dislocations (bone out of joint)
- Sprains - stretches and tears of ligaments
- Strains - stretches and tears of muscles (e.g., pulled muscle)
- Muscle overuse injuries from sports or exercise (e.g., shin splints of lower leg)
- Muscle bruise from a direct blow (e.g., thigh muscles)
- Bone bruise from a direct blow (e.g., hip)
Pain Severity Scale
- MILD: doesn’t interfere with normal activities
- MODERATE: interferes with normal activities or awakens from sleep
- SEVERE: excruciating pain, unable to do any normal activities, incapacitated by pain
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
- Involves toe, see FINGER OR TOE INJURY.
- Only has cuts, scrapes, or bruises SKIN INJURY.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR
Call 911 now (your child may need an ambulance) if:
- Serious injury with multiple fractures.
- Major bleeding that can't be stopped.
Call your doctor now (night or day) if:
- You think your child has a serious injury.
- Looks like a broken bone or dislocated joint.
- Large swelling.
- Skin beyond the injury is pale or blue.
- Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
- Age less than 1 year old.
- Bicycle spoke or washing machine wringer injury.
- Pain is SEVERE (and not improved after 2 hours of pain medicine).
- Won't stand or walk / Has a limp when walking.
- Unable to move leg normally.
- Joint nearest the injury can't be moved fully (opened and closed).
- Knee injury with a "snap" or "pop" felt at the time of impact.
Call your doctor within 24 hours (between 9am and 4pm) if:
- You think your child needs to be seen.
- Pain not improved after 3 days
Call your doctor during weekday office hours if:
- You have other questions or concerns
- No tetanus shot in over 5 years for DIRTY cuts (over 10 years for CLEAN cuts)
- Pain lasts over 2 weeks
Parent care at home if:
- Bruised muscle or bone from direct blow.
- Pain in muscle (probably from mild pulled muscle).
- Pain around joint (probably from mild stretched ligament).
HOME CARE ADVICE
- Treatment of Pulled Muscle, Bruised Muscle or Bruised Bone:
- Apply a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth to the area for 20 minutes per hour. Repeat for 4 consecutive hours. After 48 hours, use local heat for 10 minutes 3 times per day to help reabsorb the blood.
- Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen 4 times per day for pain. Continue for at least 48 hours.
- Rest the injured part as much as possible for 48 hours.
- For pulled muscles, teach the youngster about stretching exercises and strength training.
- Treatment of Mild Sprains (stretched ligaments) of Ankle or Knee:
- First aid: immediate compression and ice to reduce bleeding, swelling, and pain.
- Treat with R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) for the first 24 to 48 hours.
- Apply compression with a snug, elastic bandage for 48 hours. Numbness, tingling, or increased pain means the bandage is too tight.
- Apply a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth to the area for 20 minutes per hour. Repeat for 4 consecutive hours.
- Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen 4 times per day for pain. Continue for at least 48 hours.
- Keep injured ankle or knee elevated and at rest for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, allow any activity that doesn't cause pain.
- Expected Course: Pain and swelling usually peak on day 2 or 3. Swelling is usually gone by 7 days. Pain may take 2 weeks to completely resolve.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Pain is not improving after 3 days
- Pain lasts more than 2 weeks
- Your child becomes worse
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
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