November 18, 2024, 1:10 p.m.
If your child is complaining of hand or wrist pain, ice, rest and over-the-counter pain reliever can help them feel better. Still, you might be wondering when it’s time to take them to see a doctor.
Lindley Wall, MD, a WashU Medicine pediatric hand surgeon at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, breaks down what to look for:
- Tenderness in a specific area
- Digits or limbs that look crooked
- Bruising or swelling
If your child has any of the above symptoms, it’s best to take them to the doctor for X-rays.
If you see an obvious break or blood, or your child’s pain can’t be controlled by over-the-counter pain reliever, go to the emergency department for treatment.
In case of a medical emergency with a child, determine where the nearest accredited, Level I pediatric trauma center is located. Find the St. Louis Children’s Hospital pediatric Emergency Department location nearest you.
