My son's broken finger:(

[MommyRobin]

So after assuming for almost 2 weeks that my son just had a sprain on his pinky finger, we found out today that he actually broke it. He's a very active 12 year old who has still been playing sports and barely complained about it. I just didn't like that it was still tender and swollen so we took him in today. He now has a cast from mid arm to his finger tips. 

 

We are supposed to leave on our first cruise (on the Getaway) in 2 weeks. He is SO looking forward to this, especially the water slides and all of the activities that you need 2 working arms for. 

 

We see a surgeon for a consult on the 5th and I'm praying that he will move my son into something that gives him more mobility and will allow him to go into the water more easily. 

 

Does anyone have any suggestions on any other ways to deal with this? He's a pretty "glass half full" kid and will make the most of the cruise regardless but will still be pretty bummed out if he can't do water activities. 

[Briji04]

This happened to my son several years ago just before a spring break cruise. He actually ended with up with three screws being placed in his pinky finger. It was a basketball injury while at school. I’m not saying your son will need surgery tho. His broke on the diagonal and it was the only way. 

 

He simply wore a cast cover. The surgery left him with sutures not a cast but the new cast covers really do a great job keeping everything dry.  Just be sure it’s secure before he gets in any water. My son was able to snorkel briefly without getting any water on his dressing. 

 

Best wishes.  Happy cruising 

[MommyRobin]

3 minutes ago, Briji04 said:

This happened to my son several years ago just before a spring break cruise. He actually ended with up with three screws being placed in his pinky finger. It was a basketball injury while at school. I’m not saying your son will need surgery tho. His broke on the diagonal and it was the only way. 

 

He simply wore a cast cover. The surgery left him with sutures not a cast but the new cast covers really do a great job keeping everything dry.  Just be sure it’s secure before he gets in any water. My son was able to snorkel briefly without getting any water on his dressing. 

 

Best wishes.  Happy cruising 

Yes, this was from basketball as well. I will look into cast covers. Thanks so much. 

[OCruisers]

Happily, your son is a great "half glass full" child and probably understands those who love and participate in sports may get injured and need to take care of it so they'll be able to do the things they love again.

 

 

 

[BirdTravels]

All you can do is follow the doctor’s direction. Nothing more. Nothing less. 

 

Your ur son will enjoy the cruise.

 

The cast seems a bit extreme for a broken finger, but that’s what the ER docs will do. Hopefully your son will be back in a split soon. 

[MommyRobin]

1 minute ago, BirdTravels said:

All you can do is follow the doctor’s direction. Nothing more. Nothing less. 

 

Your ur son will enjoy the cruise.

 

The cast seems a bit extreme for a broken finger, but that’s what the ER docs will do. Hopefully your son will be back in a split soon. 

Apparently it's because the break is at the joint. It's the only way to stabilize it.

[mjkacmom]

When ds16 was 12 he broke his ankle in a soccer game (bad, ambulance picked him up on the field and took him to a pediatric trauma center where he had emergency surgery). It was June, non weight bearing cast for 6 weeks until pin removal. He was 12, he hopped around and up stairs without crutches. He enjoyed the summer poolside, even without a cruise.

[GUT2407]

Ask for a waterproof cast (fibreglass perhaps).

[HOSKI]

When our daughter broke her wrist and had a big cast we used the DryPro Waterproof cast cover.

[Xmas515]

When my daughter broke her wrist first week of summer vacation, I paid extra for the "water" cast.  Allowed her to get the cast wet in showers, swimming, etc.  Best $ I spent.  I belive the cost was only $70 (Canadian).  Sending positive vibes to your son.  

[MommyRobin]

30 minutes ago, Xmas515 said:

When my daughter broke her wrist first week of summer vacation, I paid extra for the "water" cast.  Allowed her to get the cast wet in showers, swimming, etc.  Best $ I spent.  I belive the cost was only $70 (Canadian).  Sending positive vibes to your son.  

Thank you so much. I'm from Canada as well and will definitely ask about this, as it would help immensely. 

[DMH15]

Your son will definately remember "the cruise with the water cast".  Here is wishing your family a great cruise.  

[GUT2407]

One thing you need to think about, will they allow him to use the facilities with any sort of cast on?

 

you need to check, and/or start preparing him for the possibility they won’t, now.

[outtabux]

My son broke his arm two weeks before our cruise. He was 12 at the time. He was able to get a waterproof cast and he was able to do all the water activities on the ship. At one point I found him in the hot tub with his arm completely submerged in the hot tub. 😂 When we got home they changed out the cast and got all the sand out. Fun memories!

[MommyRobin]

39 minutes ago, outtabux said:

My son broke his arm two weeks before our cruise. He was 12 at the time. He was able to get a waterproof cast and he was able to do all the water activities on the ship. At one point I found him in the hot tub with his arm completely submerged in the hot tub. 😂 When we got home they changed out the cast and got all the sand out. Fun memories!

Did the sand cause irritation? That's a big worry of mine, as we have some beach days planned. 

Right now, I'm REALLY hoping that the specialist will fit him with a removable brace rather than a cast. 

[outtabux]

No, the sand didn’t cause any problems. He would make sure to run lots of water through it in the shower to try and get it out. 

[LoveThatCorgi]

There must be something with 12 yo boys and bone breaks!  Our son broke his arm - both bones in right forearm - playing soccer. First set was a cast - no water allowed - for a few weeks.  After the first attempt to shower with arm covered, we bought the handheld shower head with a hose - which, as a bonus, also makes doggie bath time much easier!!!

 

Second phase cast we had the option to add waterproofing.  Whew, what a relief!!!  If you can, get the waterproof.  I highly recommend it after dealing with both over an 8 week period.