Injuries: Limbs

Royal Hospital for Children for Patients, Carers & Visitors
NHS GGC

Broken bones

  • If you think your child's neck or spine may be injured, call 999. Do not move them. Unnecessary movement could cause paralysis.
  • A bone in your child's leg or arm may be broken if they have pain and swelling, and the limb seems to be lying at a strange angle.
  • If you cannot easily move your child without causing pain, call an ambulance.
  • If you have to move your child, be very gentle. Put one hand above the injury and the other below it to steady and support it (use blankets or clothing if necessary). Comfort your child and take them to hospital.
  • If you think your child is in pain, give them painkillers, even if you're going to the Emergency Department. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.

Advice taken from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/first-aid/what-to-do-if-your-child-has-an-accident/

Limping

If your child is limping, it's usually the sign of a minor injury such as a sprain or splinter. But see your GP if there's no obvious cause, as there may be a serious underlying medical condition.

This page on the NHS.net website has advice for parents whose child has started limping.

Physiotherapy advice

Where should I get help?

If your child does not have a life or limb threatening injury, consider calling NHS 24 on 111.

You may be allocated a virtual appointment on the same day with a doctor or nurse practitioner at our Flow Navigation Hub. This may avoid the need to travel to hospital.

If after talking to you and your child, they feel you do need to be seen at an or Minor Injury Unit they will direct you to your nearest one.

Self Care

For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.

Self-care

You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.

Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when needed. Use the medicines recommended by your pharmacist or doctor. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.

Sound advice

Children can get better from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly. It is important to get further advice if a child's condition gets worse.

More information on common childhood illnesses.
Local Pharmacist

Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare. They are the first port of call for minor ailments and can give advice and medication (if needed) for a wide range of long term conditions and common illnesses including coughs and colds.

Pharmacy First is a free service. You do not need an appointment and many pharmacies have a private consultation area.

Your pharmacist will let you know if you need further medical attention.

Sound advice

  1. Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
  2. Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should get further medical advice immediately.
  3. Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
Health Visitor

Health visitors are nurses or midwives who promote healthy lifestyle and prevent illness. Information can be found on the Happy Healthy Tots website, or you can download their app.

Contact them by phoning your local health visiting team.

Sound advice

Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:

  • Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
  • Exercise, hygiene and safety
  • Your child’s growth and development
  • Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
  • Safety in the home
  • Stopping smoking
  • Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
  • Toilet training
  • Minor illnesses
GP (General Practitioner)
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.

Sound advice

You have a choice of service:

  • Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not need a visit to the Emergency Department.
  • For minor injuries such as cuts that need stitches, broken bones, sprains and minor burns in children aged 5 or over, go to one of our Minor Injury Units (MIU). 
NHS 24
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call NHS 24 (call 111). An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.

Sound advice

Use NHS 24 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
Emergency Department

Emergency departments are for serious injuries and life threatening emergencies. These are things like heavy bleeding, choking and seizures.

If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call NHS 24 (call 111) for advice.

Sound advice

Content adapted with permission from the what0-18.nhs.uk resource produced by the Healthier Together initiative

     

Prevention

The Child Accident Prevention Trust website has good advice on preventing falls, and risks to look out for including:

  • Windows and balconies
  • Crawling babies/toddlers and what to do about stairs
  • Highchair safety
  • Bikes
  • Trampoline safety 

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 04/10/2021

Next review date: 04/10/2024

Author(s): Ciara Carrick.