• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work & Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
      • Readers’ Choice Awards
        • SAS American curriculum cheersWhich is the best international school curriculum for your child?
        • candle holders jewellery shopShop for a Valentine’s Day gift at Cluny Court!
        • sawing wood Dulwich College experiential learningGreat outdoor education at international schools in SG!
        • innerfyre featureValentine’s Day gifts, ideas and jewellery!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • answers to puzzle expatlivingPuzzle Page answers for February 2023!
        • HYDRADASH55 Best Things To Do In Singapore
        • Singapore islands trips8 Singapore islands for easy day trips!
        • Chingay parade 2023Why you should be excited about Chingay 2023
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • SAS American curriculum cheersWhich is the best international school curriculum for your child?
        • sawing wood Dulwich College experiential learningGreat outdoor education at international schools in SG!
        • stroller rental singapore Wee WhizzStroller rental in Singapore plus car seats & baby carriers!
        • HYDRADASH55 Best Things To Do In Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • Originals best sofaWhere to buy a sofa in Singapore
        • Orignals s26 of the best furniture stores in Singapore with online shopping!
        • cleaningHome Cleaning services in Singapore, helpers, housekeeping & more
        • scandinavian design furniture bolia decorIntroducing beautiful Bolia – Scandinavian design interiors
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • holidays in marrakechHoliday 2023 – Chinese zodiac signs & your best destination!
        • bali villas where to stay in baliA gorgeous new villa in Canggu, perfect for family time!
        • borneoHiking in Kuching and Miri: Trails to add to your bucket list
        • Singapore islands trips8 Singapore islands for easy day trips!
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Afterglow by Anglow vegan30 fantastic vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Singapore
        • Nutritionist Singapore with her family eating healthy plant based dietHer Story: Aleksandra talks healthy food
        • Kopi breakfastAll you need to know about kopi
        • Pineapple tarts - chinese new year snacksChinese New Year snacks: Guide to the best treats
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • luxury spas in singaporeLuxury spas in Singapore – Massages & treatments to try!
        • innerfyre featureValentine’s Day gifts, ideas and jewellery!
        • recycled clothes personal shopper makeoverPersonal shoppers & makeup artists in Singapore
        • Lustre JewelleryWhere to buy jewellery in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • luxury spas in singaporeLuxury spas in Singapore – Massages & treatments to try!
        • sexual health relationships and sti'sHow to talk about sexual health – relationships, sexuality and STIs
        • teethHere’s how a dental implant can improve your life
        • AccupuntureExploring Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close

Ouch! Common Play Injuries for Kids

24th December 2022 by Amy Greenburg 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/kids-playground-accidents-fingertip-injuries-and-fractures/

A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon shares four common injuries that could land your child on the surgery table – plus, helpful tips on preventing them in the first place.

#1 Trampoline injuries

Lower limb injuries from trampoline mishaps are quite common, usually occurring when a child loses their footing while landing on the trampoline mat, explains DR LAM KAI YET. At Bone Island Children’s Clinic, he treats infants, children and teens with orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions that have either been present since birth or resulted from playing sports or from “just being a kid”.

“Treatment for a trampoline injury usually involves immobilising the injured limb, and x-rays may be ordered to evaluate the injury before further treatment.”

To avoid trampoline trauma, Dr Lam suggests limiting the trampoline mat to one child at a time. “Most accidents occur when there are two or more children of different sizes and weights.”

#2 Fingertip injuries and amputations

“Fingertip injuries, including nailbed lacerations, are very common in children because little ones love to put their tiny digits into crevices behind the door,” says Dr Lam. “These injuries can sometimes be treated with dressings and antibiotics. However, more often than not, a child will need stitches to patch the injured finger back.”

In some cases, the fingertip can get amputated completely. If this happens, do not panic! Instead, Dr Lam recommends washing the wound, applying firm pressure and a bandage.

“Find the tip of the finger and wrap a layer of wet gauze over it. Keep this in a Ziploc bag, then bring it with you to the hospital in an ice pack. Most fingertip amputates can be re-attached in young children. Very rarely are the fingertips not salvageable.”

To prevent fingertip injuries from occurring in the first place, Dr Lam suggests paying special attention to Singapore’s windy seasons, which are usually from December to March.

“If there are young kids at home who just cannot keep their fingers away from the back of doors or windows, invest in some child doorstoppers,” he says.

#3 Bicycle spoke injuries

All too often, a child’s foot gets caught in the back wheel while an adult is riding the bike, resulting in fractures, skin abrasions or lacerations, explains Dr Lam.

Most of these injuries can be treated with dressings, antibiotics and a cast for about four weeks. However, these injuries are entirely preventable!

“Using proper child bicycle seat attachments when riding with a young one is key to preventing bicycle spoke injuries in the first place,” he says.

#4 Supracondylar humerus fractures

This type of fracture above the elbow joint is the single most common fracture in children that necessitates surgery, explains Dr Lam. It usually happens following a fall from a height, often while climbing a monkey bar apparatus.

“While un-displaced fractures can be treated in a cast for about four weeks, displaced fractures usually require surgery. This involves a manipulation of the fracture under general anaesthesia and using surgical pins and a cast to hold the fracture in position until the bone unites,” says Dr Lam.

“If you notice deformity, pain or swelling in your child’s elbow after a fall from a height, it could be a fracture. Very swollen elbows after this type of fracture can sometimes affect the blood circulation to the hand, making it a surgical emergency.” Adult supervision at the playground can help prevent more serious accidents.

Bone Island Children’s Clinic
• #02-02 Mount Alvernia Hospital, Medical Centre A, 820 Thomson Road
• #05-34/35 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road
6978 9238 | boneisland.sg

This article first appeared in the December 2022 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free!

Get the latest events, stories and special offers
sent to your inbox.

By signing up, you'll receive our weekly newsletters and offers, which you can unsubscribe to anytime.

Categories: Health & Fitness Kids Medical Tags: Bone Island Children’s Clinic Dr Lam

Amy Greenburg

Originally from Los Angeles, Amy is passionate about Netflix, sipping rosé at rooftop bars, travelling, and all things health and wellness-related. She enjoys learning about different health topics through her writing, particularly critical health conditions, food allergies, alternative therapies, and pregnancy and postpartum-related issues

You May Also Like

Here’s how a dental implant can improve your life

Exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture

stroller rental singapore Wee Whizz

Stroller rental in Singapore plus car seats & baby carriers!

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.