Common Pediatric Injuries & How We Treat Them

Injury Care at All Ages Pediatrics

Children are active, curious, and not always aware of their own limits, which is a great combination for learning and a less great one for avoiding injuries. The good news is that most common pediatric injuries are very treatable, especially when they're evaluated promptly by a provider who knows what to look for.

At All Ages Pediatrics, we're equipped to evaluate and treat a wide range of injuries right here in our Ottumwa office, including:

• Sprains and strains
• Bone fractures and stress fractures
• Dislocations
• Deep cuts and lacerations that may need stitches
• Head injuries and concussions
• Bruises and contusions
• Burns
• Eye injuries
• Foreign objects lodged in the ear or nose

Sports Injuries

Kids and teens who play organized sports are especially prone to injury, and sports injury treatment is one of the most common reasons families come to us for same-day care. Whether your child rolled an ankle during a soccer game, hurt their shoulder at baseball practice, or is dealing with knee pain that's been building over a season, our team can evaluate what's going on and put together a plan to get them healing and back in action.

For more complex orthopedic concerns, such as a fracture that needs to be set or a joint injury requiring specialized follow-up, we can refer your child to an orthopedic physician and coordinate that transition in care so nothing falls through the cracks.

Fractures

Bone fractures in children can look a lot like a bad sprain at first glance, which is why it's always worth having a provider take a look. Our team can examine the injury and order imaging if needed to determine whether a bone is broken and how to treat it properly. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, treatment may involve splinting, casting, or referral for further orthopedic care.

Lacerations

Deep cuts that won't stop bleeding, are gaping open, or are located on the face or near a joint usually need more than a bandage at home. Our team can clean the wound, determine whether stitches or another type of closure is needed, and make sure your child is protected against infection. We'll also walk you through how to care for the wound at home and what signs to watch for as it heals.

What to Expect at Your Visit

When you bring your child in for injury care, your provider will start by asking about how the injury happened and what you've already done to treat it at home. They'll examine the area carefully and order any diagnostic tests needed, such as imaging to check for a fracture or blood work to rule out infection. Once they have a clear picture of the injury, they'll explain the diagnosis and treatment plan in plain language and let you know what follow-up, if any, is needed.

When to Go to the Emergency Room Instead

Same-day injury care at All Ages Pediatrics is the right call for most non-life-threatening injuries. However, some situations require emergency care right away. Take your child to the ER or call 911 if they have a suspected spinal or neck injury, are unconscious or extremely difficult to wake, are having trouble breathing, have a wound with heavy, uncontrolled bleeding, or show signs of a serious head injury, such as repeated vomiting, slurred speech, or one pupil larger than the other.