How do i know if my toddler's arm is fractured?

Fracture: The best way to tell, is getting an x-ray. A toddler with a broken arm may continue to use his arm. Children have high pain tolerance. Obvious signs would be swelling and bruising and refusing to use his arm, but these signs may not always be there.

Xray exam: Radiograph of arm usually shows fracture. Clinically usually swelling,sometimes redness and usually pain.

Antecedent trauma, : refusal to use arm, point tenderness = clues. If anyone yanked on his arm, it could be nursemaid's elbow. Toxic synovitis, inflammation in a joint, osteomyelitis, infection of bone, & bone tumors can also cause pain. Small fractures of the cortex of the bone may not be visible on X-ray right away, but he still needs to see a hospital-based pediatric ER doctor for exam, X-rays & immobilization. .

Need x ray: Was there any tauma. See your pediatrician.