Accepted Answer

Hello; Thank you for writing in tonight. It is a good sign that your son is using his thumb. He may not want it touched because pressure may cause discomfort of the swollen tissue. Although this does not necessarily mean that there is a fracture, I would still recommend a visit with his pediatric provider. I will explain. With a young child, fractures can be difficult to identify. Since this was a traumatic event and he has had swelling for a few days, he may actually need an x ray to ensure that there is not a fracture. With children it is best to be cautious and thoroughly evaluate possible bone injuries. Since children are still growing, any fracture presents with the potential to cause some complication with the normal growth and development of the bone. I hope this helps to explain. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please let me know. Lisa

Expert:	Lisa, MSN, FNP-BC, CCRN
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	10/8/2009

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