Avoiding Broken Bones With Your Children | AFC Urgent Care of Hixson, TN

Kids often love a challenge.  Whether it’s the latest daredevil skateboard trick, or scoring the winning goal in a soccer game, kids often go full throttle and carefree (and Hixson has no shortage of places to get out and get active!) While you want a carefree spirit, our team at AFC Urgent Care Hixson wants to emphasize the importance of staying safe and avoiding broken bones.

Broken Bones & Kids

Did you know that broken bones are among the most frequent injuries in children?  While there is a higher occurrence in the spring and summer months, kids are susceptible to breaks year-round. When a child breaks a bone, it can be scary for both the child and the parent. Not to mention that a broken bone usually means the child has to stay away from sports and other activities for several weeks.

Fortunately, even if you are one of the many parents who have a kid who is a little adventurous, there are ways you can help him or her reduce the risk of breaking a bone.

Got Calcium?

Who remembers the “Got Milk?” ads from our younger days? Those advertisements were meant to emphasize the importance of milk and other dairy products as part of a healthy diet for everyone, especially children. Dairy plays a key role in helping kids get the calcium and vitamin D they need to build strong, healthy bones.  These vitamins are also key in adolescent development.

The next time your child is thirsty, why not give him or her a glass of low-fat or skim milk to drink, instead of soda or other sugary drinks? Cheese and yogurt can make a great snack and also can help boost calcium intake.

Get Out and Move

Regular physical exercise is important for both children and adults. However, weight-bearing exercises like jumping rope, dancing, hiking and jogging are especially important to help your children boost their bone health.

In addition, team sports can also help encourage exercise and improve bone strength in children as well as building interpersonal and other life skills. During team sports and other activities, ensure your child takes the necessary precautions to avoid injuries, including wearing the right safety equipment.

Proper safety equipment includes:

• Helmets
• Elbow pads
• Knee pads
• Eye goggles
• Sport appropriate padding

When a Broken Bone Occurs…

Sometimes, no matter what precautions are taken, broken bones just happen! If a broken bone occurs, take steps to limit the effects of the injury as soon as possible. If the injury has caused bleeding, stop the bleeding by applying pressure.

You also want to immobilize the injured area as soon as possible to ensure further injury doesn’t occur, including further bone or muscle damage. Apply ice packs to the injured area to alleviate swelling and reduce pain.

After the injury has been diagnosed and treated by a medical professional, there are steps you can take to help your child heal and get back to normal, injury-free life.

Nutrition is an important factor in helping heal broken bones. Once the injury has been treated, make sure you’re fueling your child’s body with the right foods, including plenty of calcium, to spur proper healing.  Before you know it, they will be back at their daredevil antics!

Did you or a little one get hurt while exploring the Hixson area? If so, don’t hesitate to stop by AFC Urgent Care Hixson, TN. We’re here for you seven days a week!