
What Does My X-ray Report Indicate?

Question: This is a follow up question. Just to recap, my son XXXXXXX has broken his left arm bone on 30-Dec-2015 and was put in cast and today (07-Jan-2016), we went for the follow up appointment and took the xray again (i am attaching the same). Doctor advised us not to worry and no any major issues found in the XRAY. I just wanted to get confirmation of the same from this group as I had been following up with this group as well.
Also, my son is able to move his left hand fingers slightly but still feeling some pain to make them straight (it's been a week since he had the injury). Is it normal? The doctors here advised not to worry.
Please provide your findings after looking into the XRAY and regarding the movement of the fingers.
Also, my son is able to move his left hand fingers slightly but still feeling some pain to make them straight (it's been a week since he had the injury). Is it normal? The doctors here advised not to worry.
Please provide your findings after looking into the XRAY and regarding the movement of the fingers.
Brief Answer:
Need to keep limb elevated and watch for danger signs of fingers cold, blue
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
Since he is a child, the bones will heal in the cast by 6 weeks in most cases.
Usually pain will be there due to the fracture and swelling, but if he is having pain which is increasing, then the cast may be too tight and need to be removed. Watch for fingers getting cold or change in colour to bluish or dark. If such is present, get the cast cut off and removed immediately. As of now, keep the limb elevated to drain away any swelling.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Need to keep limb elevated and watch for danger signs of fingers cold, blue
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
Since he is a child, the bones will heal in the cast by 6 weeks in most cases.
Usually pain will be there due to the fracture and swelling, but if he is having pain which is increasing, then the cast may be too tight and need to be removed. Watch for fingers getting cold or change in colour to bluish or dark. If such is present, get the cast cut off and removed immediately. As of now, keep the limb elevated to drain away any swelling.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee


Please let me know what do you mean by keeping the limb elevated. The fingers are not getting cold. He is able to move them but he is not able to stretch his fingers completely. Please advise if it's normal at this stage.
Brief Answer:
If there is severe pain on extending the fingers then the cast needs to be
Detailed Answer:
Were the fingers stretching completely before applying plaster?
If the fingers aren't able to extend in comparison to just before applying the plaster along with severe pain on extending the fingers, then it may be too tight and the cast needs to be cut off immediately.
Keep the limb on a pillow to his side when he sleeps or on a table if he is sitting on a chair. Basically the limb should be higher than the level of the heart for the swelling to drain away from the hand.
If there is severe pain on extending the fingers then the cast needs to be
Detailed Answer:
Were the fingers stretching completely before applying plaster?
If the fingers aren't able to extend in comparison to just before applying the plaster along with severe pain on extending the fingers, then it may be too tight and the cast needs to be cut off immediately.
Keep the limb on a pillow to his side when he sleeps or on a table if he is sitting on a chair. Basically the limb should be higher than the level of the heart for the swelling to drain away from the hand.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Answered by

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
