Information for Parents

Your child requires a ‘collar and cuff’.

A collar and cuff is used for injuries from the collar bone down to the elbow.

The collar and cuff will hold your child’s elbow in a comfortable position until healing takes place or until you see an Orthopaedic Specialist who will advise ongoing treatment.

The Doctor will advise length of treatment.

If instructed, please DO NOT remove the collar and cuff until your child is seen by an Orthopaedic specialist. This includes during bathing and sleeping.

Hygiene

Undertake sponge bathing or use wet wipes only, unless a specialist doctor advises differently.

Sleeping

When sleeping keep the arm in same angle and support with pillows as necessary. The use of pillows is dependent on the age of your child, as they can cause a hazard whilst sleeping for younger children.

Use pain relief (such as ibuprofen or paracetamol) as instructed.

Clothing

Wear a button up shirt or pull-down T Shirt, with the arm under the clothes. Extra care must be taken on movement to prevent further injury.

Activity

No sports or physical activities are allowed until approved by your child’s Orthopaedic doctor.

Children with a collar and cuff may go to school if approved by the doctor.

When To Be Concerned And Seek Medical Attention

• If your child’s pain is getting worse or not improving with painkillers
• If your child is unable to move his or her fingers and/or fingers have changed colour
• If your child has no feeling in the injured fingers and/or fingers are more swollen
• If your child’s has a fever
• If the collar and cuff gets wet
• If you notice areas of red, dry, swollen, cracked or bleeding skin
• If you have any concerns at all

Further Information

If you need any more information or advice between the hours of 0800-2000 Monday-Sunday please call The Children’s Urgent Care Centre on 02073906150.

Out of hours please contact NHS 111 or attend your local Emergency Department.

Call NHS 111 if you need medical help fast, but its not life threatening- for example, if you:

• Think you need to go to hospital
• Don’t know who to call for medical help
• Don’t have a GP to call
• Need medical advice or reassurance about what to do next.

In case of emergency please call 999 or attend your local Children’s Emergency Department.