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Physical Therapy for Child’s Broken Arm

Question:

My son, who is 7 years old, recently broke his arm playing basketball. Because of his age, will there be different implications for recovery from his injury? Can a physical therapist help maximize his rehabilitation to ensure he fully recovers?

Answer: By Joan Bohmert, PT, MS

Fractures of the arm, specifically the forearm, are common in children. Recovery depends on the specific location and severity of the fracture. Children have an advantage as their bones are naturally growing and producing cells to make more bone. A fractured bone will use new bone cells to remodel the bone. The body’s ability to remodel bone is related to age, decreasing as we age.

The growth plate, at the ends of long bones, also changes with age and damage to this area can impact growth. The physician will determine the type and severity of the fracture and method of immobilizing it while it heals. It is important to make sure proper alignment of the fracture site is attained as any deformity can significantly impact function after healing. A physical therapist can help maximize function by restoring joint range of motion, muscle length, and muscular strength lost as a result of immobilization and lack of use. The physical therapist can also evaluate how the arm moves for daily activities and sports to make sure correct patterns of movement are used during rehabilitation.

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Biographical Information

Physical therapist and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member Joanell A. Bohmert, PT, MS, and certified clinical instructor is a full-time clinician with Anoka-Hennepin School District in Anoka, Minnesota, with a focus on pediatrics and neurology. She has worked with pediatric and young adult clients for more than 25 years incorporating the concepts of patient-centered evidence based practice into patient management, clinical instruction, and clinical research. She also is an adjunct faculty member for the University of Minnesota, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Bohmert received her bachelor’s degree and Master of Science from the University of Minnesota. An active member of APTA, Bohmert served on APTA's Board of Directors for 7 years, one of which she was vice president. She also has held board appointments with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists (ABPTS) and the Foundation for Physical Therapy. Additionally she served as chair of APTA’s Branding Task Force and the Task Force on the Future Role of the Physical Therapist Assistant and she has served on APTA's Steering Committee for the Physical Therapy and Society Summit and its Research Summit. Prior to serving on the APTA Board of Directors, Bohmert served two terms as president of APTA’s Minnesota Chapter. She was and continues to be actively involved in state and federal legislative affairs serving as a federal key contact and as an issue expert for direct access. Bohmert participated in the development and revision of the APTA's Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, Hooked on Evidence Neuromuscular Clinical Case Scenarios for child with cerebral palsy, and APTA's Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program. Bohmert is associate editor of Neuromuscular Essentials: Applying the Preferred Physical Therapist Practice Patterns and has authored two chapters on Applying the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice and one chapter on Physical Therapy in the Educational Environment.