Summer is the season of adventure for kids—filled with biking, swimming, climbing, and jumping. However, this fun comes with a noticeable trend: a spike in broken bones. As school lets out and kids spend more time outdoors, children’s hospitals see a sharp rise in fractures, particularly involving the arms, wrists, and ankles. Most children’s bones are still growing, and these injuries could impact their growth plates. If not treated properly, this can lead to complications such as stunted growth and affected limb length.
Most summer fractures happen during falls from bikes, skateboards, or scooters; playground accidents (with monkey bars and climbing structures as common culprits); trampoline use; and sports camps or pick-up games with less structured supervision.
Common Pediatric Fractures Include:
- Wrist fractures: Often from trying to catch themselves during a fall
- Elbow fractures: Frequently from playground or trampoline falls
- Ankle fractures: From running, jumping, or awkward landings
- Clavicle (collarbone) fractures: Often due to bike or scooter falls
- Growth plate fractures: Involving the developing areas at the ends of bones
While some minor injuries can be treated with a brace or rest, any suspected broken bone should be evaluated by a specialist. Pediatric orthopedic specialists complete additional years of subspecialty training to understand the unique structure of growing bones and how to treat them to avoid long-term issues.
Signs your child may have a fracture include swelling or bruising at the injury site, inability to move or put weight on the limb, visible deformity or misalignment, and persistent pain after a fall or impact.
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital offers specialized pediatric orthopedic care in Orange County to address these concerns. Our Fountain Valley Outpatient Specialty Center provides expert treatment for orthopedic injuries. Whether it’s a sprain, fracture, or complex growth plate injury, our team is dedicated to helping children recover safely and return to their favorite activities. We also emphasize prevention and management strategies to help families understand how to stay active while reducing risk.
If your child experiences a growth plate injury or a more severe fracture, they may need advanced care at our Orthopedic Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach. Should surgery be necessary, our pediatric orthopedic specialists work closely with parents to create a personalized treatment plan based on the child’s specific needs in a kid friendly surgical center and environment.
Tips for Preventing Fractures This Summer:
- Always have children wear helmets and protective gear during wheeled activities
- Supervise trampoline play and allow only one jumper at a time
- Check playgrounds for age-appropriate equipment and soft-landing surfaces
- Encourage warm-ups and stretching before sports or physical activity
- Make sure kids stay hydrated and take breaks to prevent fatigue-related accidents
With the right safety steps and access to specialized care, parents can help their kids enjoy summer while keeping their growing bones healthy and strong.
About Dr. Torin Cunningham:
Dr. Torin J. Cunningham is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the Orthopedic Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. Dr. Cunningham specializes in spinal deformity/scoliosis surgery for children and adolescents, hip reconstructive surgery and general pediatric orthopedic care.
Dr. Cunningham received his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego, and completed his residency training in orthopedic surgery at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. Dr. Cunningham then furthered his training by completing a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Boston.
In addition to his practice experience, Dr. Cunningham is also a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America. He teaches residents from the pediatric residency program and has given several lectures at Miller Children’s & Women’s. He has been recognized as Physician of the Year at Miller Children’s & Women’s and named to the Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Board of Trustees. And in 2021 and 2022, he was also recognized as a Top Los Angeles Doctor by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
