Play-related Accidents Land Two Close Family Friends in Walk-in Fracture Clinic on the Same Day

Kids have been cooped up at home but are outside playing now that the weather has improved, so injuries are bound to happen. We see an increase in injuries in spring and summer, and another spike in the fall as kids return to school and get back into team sports.

A quuick way for parents to share information about care for their children is through crowdsourcing other parents, family, friends and social media channels. When it comes to needing specialty care from an orthopaedic doctor, a parent may be forced to make a quick decision and use the recommendation of a friend or doctor from an emergency department.

After 9-year-old Madison hit a tree while riding her bike, her mother, Kristy, found herself in the local emergency department having to make that decision. When it was determined that Madison, affectionately known as Maddy, had fractured her elbow, her arm was immediately splinted. The staff then told her mother that Madison would need to see a pediatric orthopaedic specialist to determine if casting, surgery and/or therapy would be necessary. Like many other parents, Kristy turned to Facebook for medical recommendations.

At the same time, not too far from where the family lived, Maddy’s best friend’s younger sister, Bailey, also fractured her elbow while falling off a trampoline. Her mother, Elizabeth, happened to see Kristy’s post on Facebook. Because the families were very close, she immediately called Kristy to tell her about Bailey’s injury and her plan to follow-up with the orthopaedic doctors at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Philadelphia.

Both families decided to come to the Philadelphia Shriners Hospital walk-in fracture clinic. Within minutes both girls were seen by Scott Kozin, M.D., chief of staff. Both were going to need casts to help heal their injuries, and no surgery would be required. In the waiting room, the two girls formed a pact that they would be each other’s support during the casting and get the same design.

Both families were grateful for the ease of their visit.

“It was a great experience, and Dr. Kozin was wonderful with Maddy,” said Kristy. “I would absolutely recommend coming here to other families.”

“My daughter loved the hospital,” said Elizabeth. “Bailey was very apprehensive about coming in because she didn’t know what to expect. The staff knew just how to calm her down. They also treated us like actual human beings and not a number. It didn’t matter what we looked like, the staff treated everyone the same. I would definitely recommend other families to bring their children here.”

At the Philadelphia Shriners Hospital walk-in fracture clinic, children with an injury can see an experienced pediatric orthopaedic specialist without an appointment. Patients receive total fracture care, which may include reduction, surgery, casting, post fracture follow-up and sometimes even physical or occupational therapy. Our streamlined services are offered Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

Please do not hesitate to contact our staff for any orthopaedic issue(s) or questions at 215-430-4073.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is part of most major insurance networks. We care for any child regardless of the families’ ability to pay.