Shinbone and toddler fractures
A shinbone fracture may cause limping or refusal to walk after a minor twist.
Content updated:
Educational draft — awaiting physician approval
What might you notice?
The lower leg lies between the knee and ankle. A broken shinbone can cause pain, swelling and difficulty standing. In a young walking child, a small twist can cause a thin, stable fracture without obvious deformity: a toddler fracture.
Assessment and treatment
Refusal to walk after injury needs examination. A toddler fracture may be invisible on the first X-ray, so repeat imaging may be needed. Treatment depends on age, location and stability: a cast or boot, sometimes realignment or surgery for unstable fractures.
How can you help?
Do not force walking. Follow the clinician's instructions about weight-bearing. Keep the cast dry and monitor the toes. Follow-up checks that the bone remains properly aligned while healing.
