Key points
- A toddler’s fracture is a common minor injury to the shin bone (tibia).
- The fracture happens in young children – most often between one and three years of age.
- Pain-relief medicine and rest are the best treatments for a toddler’s fracture.
- The injury usually heals well without a cast or boot, but in some situations a doctor may suggest one to support the leg and help with pain.
- Your child will usually limp for a week or two before getting better. They should not have ongoing problems.
What is a toddler’s fracture?
A toddler’s fracture is a minor injury to the shin bone (tibia). It is a hairline (thin) crack in the bone, often in a spiral shape. The strong surrounding tissue supports the shin bone, so it does not completely break.
The name ‘toddler’s fracture’ is because the injury is most common in one to three-year-olds, but children aged between around nine months and five years can also get them.
What causes a toddler’s fracture?
Most toddler’s fractures are caused by minor incidents, such as:
- Falling over
- Tripping or stumbling
- Twisting the shin at an odd angle, such as going down a slide in a playground.
Toddlers may have trouble describing what happened to them.
Signs and symptoms of a toddler’s fracture
The most common symptoms of a toddler’s fracture are:
- Pain and/or tenderness in the lower leg.
- Your child may only feel it when they try to walk. They may not seem like they are in pain if they are sitting down or distracted.
- Limping, not using the affected leg or refusing to walk.
If your child was walking, they may go back to only crawling, so they do not have to put weight on the affected leg.
Some children have bruising and swelling of the leg, but some do not.
How to care for a toddler’s fracture
See a doctor
If your child has signs and symptoms of a toddler’s fracture, you should take them to see their doctor or another health professional. They will usually order a leg X-ray. The X-ray may show a spiral fracture in the shin bone. However, toddler’s fractures
are not always visible on X-rays. If this is the case, your child’s doctor may diagnose them with a toddler’s fracture based on their history, signs, and symptoms alone.
There is usually no need for extra tests beyond an X-ray.
Fracture healing
Unlike other fractures, toddler’s fractures heal well without a cast or boot. This is because the shin bone is surrounded by tissue that keeps it stable. Children usually start putting weight on their injured leg and going back to their normal activities
sooner if they do not have a cast or boot on it.
Backslabs or controlled ankle motion (CAM) boots are not necessary for toddler’s fractures but can sometimes provide protection and support. However, they may cause problems with the skin due to rubbing and pressure. You should remove a backslab or CAM
boot least once a day to check the skin for redness or irritation. When your child is happy and comfortable again, it is best to remove the supports. Speak with your child’s doctor to decide the best option.
Care at home
Most children with toddler’s fractures will not want to put any weight on their affected leg for five to ten days. They may limp for a few days longer.
Pain-relief medicine and rest are the best treatments for a toddler’s fracture.
- Give your child regular pain-relief medicine for the first few days after the injury.
- Their leg may be more sore at night; a late dose of medicine can help.
- Over around one to two weeks, their pain and limp should get better.
- Encourage your child to rest so their leg can heal.
- Many children restrict their own activity while they are in pain. They may do this for a few hours for up to a few weeks.
- It is okay for them to put weight on their leg when it does not hurt as much. However, they should avoid high-impact activities, such as jumping around and climbing, for a few weeks.
Occasionally, more serious problems can seem like toddler fractures. Watch your child for:
- Worsening pain
- Pain that comes back after it has gone away
- Limping more over time, rather than less
- Fever (temperature of 38°C or more) without a clear cause
- Knee, thigh, or back pain.
Take your child back to their doctor if they have any of these symptoms, or if they do not start walking again within two weeks.
When to get help
|
See a doctor or health professional if:
|
- your child’s pain seems to be getting worse or has come back after going away.
- your child has a fever (temperature of 38°C or more) without a clear cause.
- your child is limping more over time, rather than less.
- your child has not started walking again after two weeks.
- your child has knee, thigh, or back pain.
- your child has plaster on their leg, and the plaster got very wet or damaged.
|
|
Look after your child at home if:
|
- they are consistently getting better
- pain-relief medicine helps their pain.
|
Common questions about a toddler’s fracture
Does my child need an X-ray to diagnose a toddler’s fracture?
Doctors can diagnose a toddler’s fracture without an X-ray, based on your child’s health history and a physical exam. They will usually still order an X-ray to check, but it may not show the fracture. An X-ray can rule out other more serious fractures.
How long does a toddler fracture usually take to heal?
Toddler’s fractures can take up to four weeks to heal. However, many children will start walking much sooner than that.
Will my child need follow-up appointments for a toddler’s fracture?
Your child will not need any follow-up appointments for a toddler’s fracture unless they do not heal as expected. For example, if they have not started walking again after two weeks they should see a doctor for review.
Should my child stay home from childcare with a toddler’s fracture?
Your child does not necessarily have to stay home from childcare with a toddler’s fracture. The focus should be on controlling their pain and limiting high-impact activities, such as jumping around and climbing. Speak to your child’s educators
about whether they can assist.
When your child’s pain and limp has gone away, they can join regular childcare activities.
What activities can my child do while they have a toddler’s fracture?
Your child should avoid high-impact activities until around four to six weeks after their injury. This gives the bone time to heal properly. They should start with simple activities, then gently return to play after one or two weeks. After a month
or so, they can go back to normal activities if they are not in pain.
If your child feels sore after playing, this will not usually affect the healing process.
For more information
Call an ambulance (000) immediately in an emergency.
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department, with input from the Orthopaedics department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed October 2026
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.