Supracondylar Humerus Fracture in Children: Recovery & Concerns

Question
I know this is not your expertise but I hope you can give an opinion. My 5 year old daughter fell from a swing and broke her left humerus, near the elbow. It was called a supracondylar fracture. The break was right above the growth plate. The pediatric orthopedic surgeon performed surgery (he did not have to make incisions, it was a closed reduction.) He put 2 pins through the bones (crosswise.) It has been one week and no matter how hard I try, my daughter keeps running around, getting her arm bumped and jarred. I am so worried this will cause the bones to shift or not heal properly. Could running cause the broken bones to shift apart? Or will the pins keep them tightly secure, even with running or bouncing? I am very worried.  Her arm is in a splint, not a cast.  They do this because they remove the pins at 3 weeks.

Answer
It  is very difficult to keep a child down.  The doctor put the pins to help stabilize the fracture.  Try to explain (I know it is difficult) but try telling your daughter it is important to keep her arm from jarring too much.  You can try drawing a picture of the bones showing her what can happen if she is not careful.  Do not make her fearful but just try to make her understand that she can play but running she stands the risk of falling and displacing the fractures.  You may want to discuss this further with the orthopedic physician as well.......unfortunately it is very difficult to keep active children still.

As I said the pins are there to assist in keeping the bones aligned but certainly hard jarring and a fall could cause a shift.

Don't worry too much Mom.......2 more weeks to go.  Talk to the doctor I am sure he can alleviate your fears.