Why does my son keep breaking his arm?

[swilphil]

Aside from the obvious answer that he's a clutzy daredevil, is there some medical condition that causes him to keep breaking the same arm?

He has had his third break in a little over a year. The first two were in the same spot, which isn't that unusual. The second break was much worse and he needed surgery because it didn't heal correctly. He has a small metal plate on one of his bones, and the most recent break is between the plate and his elbow in the forearm.

The doc asked yesterday if anyone in our family had a history of breaking bones. Is there some bone disease or condition that I need to be concerned about?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, there is brittle bone disease but you would already know that.
He could have osteoporosis or something else. Don't rule out blood diseases.

After a third break in under a year, I would certainly do some research.

Do some genetic blood tests.

 

[pozey]

How old is he?

My son - he's 8 now - has broken his left arm 3 times. However, it was over about a 3 1/2 year period. I asked the doctor the same thing - is this a case of brittle bones or simply bad luck. He told me bad luck. They checked him and his bones were fine. Just a daredevel.

 

[disneygals]

My dd broke her wrist at 3,
was accidentally tripped at school at 9 and had nerve damage to her wrist and hand(resolved with physical therapy),
was knocked down by a large boy carrying a huge tub of water balloons on the last of school at 10 and broke her wrist,
did a pas-de-chat (small jump) at ballet at 12 and broke her foot
and has had numerous sprains. I asked the ortho and he said not to worry, it happens. She's 15 now and it's been a while (crossing fingers!!!!!!!!)

Meanwhile, my youngest dd has always fallen constantly, we used to call her concussion baby, and she has never broken anything (again, crossing fingers!!)

 

[swilphil]

He just turned 7. Luckily the latest break is just a fracture, whereas the first two were bad breaks and required the arm to be set.

The first break (when we were in NYC) he tripped and fell on our hardwood floor. The second break (on his 4th day of Kindergarten) was at the after-school care and he fell on the gym floor. This time he fell off the monkey bars onto some mulch.

We go to the ortho clinic at Children's Mercy Hospital tomorrow. I'll ask more questions there.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Those do sound iffy. Maybe nothing.

I would just bring up the info to the doc and see what is available as far as testing. It may just put your mind at ease to be a little prepared.

You don't have to go thru with anything, but it is always good to know. Otherwise...you will sit there wondering.