Breaking a Bone

by Shelley White

There were twenty of us on the school trip to the Lake District. We'd hiked six miles that morning in blazing sunshine and were looking forward to tucking into our packed lunches and cold drinks on our return to camp. I took off my hiking boots - what a relief - and changed into my flip-flops but as I was making my way down a little gravel slope to join my friends at the picnic table, disaster struck ... I slipped and my foot bent back under me ...

As I fell on my foot, I heard a little cracking sound. Immediately I felt excruciating pain right across my ankle and I started to cry. I was scared because it was impossible to stand up or even bend my ankle. Mrs Clarke, our Geography teacher, quickly brought over the cool box and lifted me onto it. All the other pupils crowded round me and I started to feel sick and dizzy. My leg was starting to swell and go all tingly.

Then a lady who had been having a picnic with her family came running over.

"What's happened?" she asked. "I'm a doctor."

She then examined my ankle and said "I think it's broken so I'll call an ambulance. Keep still because if you move you may cause more damage to your ankle."

That frightened me because I'd never been to hospital before and I was worrying what might happen there. But she was a kind lady and she put me at ease.

"You're very pale - are you cold?" she asked.

"Yes - and I think I might be sick."

"Bring me that picnic blanket, please" she told Mrs Clarke and then wrapped it round me.

She could see I'd had a nasty shock, so while we were waiting for the ambulance to arrive she asked me if I had any hobbies - I suppose she was trying to take my mind off the pain. Then she ran to fetch an ice pack from her picnic box and put it on my ankle to reduce the swelling.

She gave me some painkillers but advised "You shouldn't have anything to eat or drink in case you need an operation to fix your ankle."

That sounded a bit scary but some of the younger children were watching my reaction so I put on a brave face. I was a bit narked because they could all eat their sandwiches and crisps. Getting over my sickly feeling, I was beginning to feel hungry.

At last the ambulance arrived. The two paramedics were so kind, trying to make me laugh and asking me if I'd been trying to fly or something. They fastened me on to a stretcher and carried me up the hill promising they'd try not to drop me. I did feel important but at the same time I kept wondering what was going to happen to me at the hospital.

It took twenty minutes before we reached the hospital. What an uncomfortable journey - I could feel every bump and hole in the road jarring my ankle. I wished we could get there soon as it was making me feel sickly again.

The doctors and nurses at the hospital explained what was going to happen and why.

"You'll have an x-ray to see whether your ankle is broken" said the nurse.

Well - it was!

"It's a nice clean break" said the doctor "so you won"t be needing an operation to pin it."

What a relief! I could eat something at last. Mrs Clarke, who'd come with me in the ambulance, gave me a chocolate bar she had in her handbag - it tasted so good.

"We'll have to put a plaster cast on your leg from your toes to your knee," said the doctor. "Don't worry, it doesn't hurt and you"ll be able to choose your favourite colour for the bandage that goes over the plaster."

I chose pink, though I liked the orange and blue as well. The plaster felt hot and my leg tingled as it was plastered on but I was quite proud of its bright pink colour. Then the doctor gave me some crutches to help me to walk and showed me how to use them. It was a bit tricky at first but I soon got the hang of it.

"The plaster takes about twenty-four hours to dry out completely" said the doctor. "Try not to get it wet. And you mustn't walk on your broken foot for six weeks. But most importantly, you should keep trying to wiggle your toes, make sure they're nice and pink and easy to move. If they turn blue and cold or start to swell up, you need to come back here straight away - your plaster could be too tight. If you get pain in your ankle, take these painkillers."

After a few days, I had a second x-ray at my local hospital to make sure the bones had aligned correctly, then after the six weeks, I went back again for another x-ray and had the plaster removed. My bad leg was all floppy and weak from not being used and was skinnier than my other leg too. I had to learn to walk properly all over again. Physiotherapists taught me exercises to help me to regain the strength in my leg. I had to practice turning my ankles round one way and then the other way. They said that an exercise bike would be good to strengthen my ankle; that was lucky as my mum has one of those so I could use hers.

"The x-ray shows your ankle has healed very well" said the doctor. "You'll soon be hiking again!"

I will ... but I think I'll be more careful where I wear my flip-flops next time!

Treat broken bones (fractures) with great care to prevent any further damage. Keep the person still and warm and seek medical assistance.