Broken Foot (Child) 

Home care

• If your child has been given crutches, they should use them to walk. Your child should not walk or put weight on the injured foot until the provider says it’s OK. Your child should never put weight on a splint—it may break.

• Give your child pain medicines as directed by the healthcare provider. Don't give your child aspirin unless told to by the provider.

• Keep the child's leg elevated to reduce pain and swelling. This is most important during the first 48 hours after injury. As often as possible, have the child sit or lie down and place pillows under the child’s leg until the foot is raised above the level of the heart. For babies and toddlers, lay the child down and place pillows under the foot until the injury is raised above the level of the heart. Be sure the pillows don't move near the face of the baby or toddler. Never leave the child unsupervised.

• Apply a cold pack to the injury to help control swelling. To make a cold pack, place ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin towel. As the ice melts, be careful that the cast/splint/boot doesn’t get wet. Don't place the ice directly on the skin, because this can cause damage. You can place a cold pack directly over a splint or cast.

• Ice the injured area for up to 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours the first day. Do this 3 to 4 times a day for the next 2 days, then as needed. It may help to make a game of using the ice. But don't force your child to use the ice. 

• Care for a splint or cast as you’ve been advised. Don’t put any powders or lotions inside the splint or cast. Keep your child from sticking objects into the splint or cast.

• Keep the splint, cast, or boot dry. Unless you’re told otherwise, a boot can be removed for bathing. A splint or cast should be protected with a large plastic bag closed at the top with tape or rubber bands and kept out of the water.

• Encourage your child to wiggle or exercise the toes on the injured foot often.

Follow-up care 

Follow up with the child's healthcare provider as advised. Follow-up X-rays may be needed to see how the bone is healing. If your child was given a splint, it may be changed to a cast or boot at the follow-up visit. If you were referred to a specialist, make that appointment promptly.

Special note to parents

Healthcare providers are trained to recognize injuries like this one in young children as a sign of possible abuse. Several healthcare providers may ask questions about how your child was injured. Healthcare providers are required by law to ask you these questions. This is done for protection of the child. Please try to be patient and not take offense.

When to get medical advice

Call your child's healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Wet or soft splint or cast

• Splint or cast is too tight. Loosen a splint before calling for help.

• Increasing swelling or pain after a splint or cast is put on the foot. Babies who can't yet talk may show pain with crying that can't be soothed.

• Toes on the injured foot are cold, blue, numb, burning, or tingly 

• Child can’t move the toes on the injured foot

• Redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage from the wound, or foul odor from a cast or splint

• In babies: Fussiness or crying that can't be soothed

• Fever (see "Fever and children" below)

• Chills

Call 911

Call 911 if your child has:

• Trouble breathing

• Confusion

• Trouble waking up or is very drowsy

• Fainting or loss of consciousness

• Fast heart rate

• Seizure

• Stiff neck

Fever and children

Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:

• Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.

• Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.

• Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.

Use a rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel OK using a rectal thermometer, ask the healthcare provider what type to use instead. When you talk with any healthcare provider about your child’s fever, tell them which type you used.

Below is when to call the healthcare provider if your child has a fever. Your child’s healthcare provider may give you different numbers. Follow their instructions.

When to call a healthcare provider about your child’s fever

For a baby under 3 months old:

• First, ask your child’s healthcare provider how you should take the temperature.

• Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

• Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher

• A fever of ___________as advised by the provider

For a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):

• Rectal or forehead: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher

• Ear (only for use over age 6 months): 102°F (38.9°C) or higher

• A fever of ___________ as advised by the provider

In these cases:

• Armpit temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher in a child of any age

• Temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age

• A fever of ___________ as advised by the provider