When a child experiences an accident that results in minor to moderate back pain, bringing the youngster to see a Family Doctor in St Paul MN is a good place to start. That accident might have involved crashing a bicycle, falling off playground equipment or being hurt while roughhousing with other kids. In most instances, the injury is not serious and will heal with at-home attention. After evaluating the child, the doctor will likely recommend rest, along with the application of ice or heat. Over-the-counter pain medication that is suitable for children can be provided.
An accident that causes back pain may highlight an ongoing problem the child has failed to mention previously. A common issue seen at a clinic such as Pediatric & Young Adult Medicine involves discomfort caused by lugging around a heavy backpack on school days. Parents are encouraged to find ways to lighten that load.
Sometimes, however, a Family Doctor in St Paul MN finds something more serious has occurred. The physician will probably order X-rays to see whether a hairline or compression fracture developed because of the accident. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sheds light on whether there are injuries to the soft tissues. Again, the injuries typically heal on their own with time and proper at-home treatment. If the child should see a specialist such as an orthopedist, the family practice physician can make that referral.
Rarely, it turns out that the youngster has a serious chronic disorder, such as juvenile arthritis. Pain is usually felt at the joints. The child may have noticed some instances of neck pain or shoulder pain in the past, but more dramatic discomfort resulting from the accident brought to light the chronic problem. In these instances, the family doctor works closely with a rheumatologist to make sure the child continues to live as normal a life as possible and manage episodes of pain. In a strange sort of way, the accident was fortuitous, as it allows the child to start treatment promptly and prevent further damage to the joints.
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