There are many classifications of bone fractures. Treatment can range from simple splinting or casting to operations with metal pins or plates, depending on the type of fracture your child has. Types of fractures Open vs. closed fractures Fractures that happen without tearing the skin are called closed. If there is opening in the skin, the fracture is called open.
Open fractures are more likely to have infection.
Open fractures must be cleaned thoroughly, and your child must take antibiotic medication. If fractures are in the middle of the bone and do not involve a joint, they are called shaft fractures. In children, unlike adults, there are growth centers in the flared end of the bones. Fractures in these growth areas are called Salter fractures and can make children's fractures more difficult to treat than a similar fracture in an adult. Growth after Salter fractures is unpredictable.