Demand Grows for Shriners Children's Spokane Fracture Clinic

It should come as no surprise that kids love to run and play. With that comes the inevitable bumps, bruises and breaks.

That is why Shriners Children’s Spokane created its Urgent Pediatric Fracture Clinic, getting children patched up and on their way. The clinic is an extension of the specialized services offered to children with orthopedic conditions.

Developed in 2013, the popularity of the program continues to grow at Shriners Children’s Spokane. Staffing has increased and hours expanded to meet the growing demand for local, specialized fracture care.

“The fracture clinic was started first and foremost because we saw a need in the community,” said Shriners Children's Spokane pediatric orthopedic surgeon and Chief of Staff Glen Baird, M.D. “Children are different. Their fractures are different. The care that they need is different.”

The program gives priority scheduling to pediatric fracture patients. Children receive comprehensive fracture care including radiology, lab services, reduction/re-alignment, surgery, casting, post-fracture follow-up and rehabilitation.

Children can also be fast-tracked for same-day surgery should their medical situation require it.

Did you know? Shriners Children’s Spokane was the first location in our healthcare system to develop and implement a pediatric fracture clinic. Today, fracture care is available at 21 Shriners Children’s locations across North America and Hawaii.

Demand for the program in Spokane has increased every year since its conception. In its initial year, specialists treated just under 500 patients. Today, the program has more than quadrupled in size.

Even during the 2020 COVID-19 crisis, specialists continued to treat fracture patients. Administrators altered operations to work in compliance with statewide healthcare restrictions. They found new ways to make sure all patients had access to high-quality care.

Common Winter Pediatric Orthopedic Injuries

“The most common winter activities that result in orthopedic injuries involve going down hills at high speeds, including sledding, snowboarding or skiing,” said Shriners Children’s Spokane pediatric orthopedic surgeon Jacob Carl, M.D.

One study found the most common sledding injuries seen in emergency rooms are broken bones (26%), contusions and abrasions (25%), lacerations or deep cuts (16%), sprains (16%) and traumatic brain injury (9%). The most common areas of injury are the head, arms and legs.

“Swelling, bruising, and avoiding using the injured limb may be a sign that your child has broken a bone,” added Dr. Carl. “If you suspect your child has a broken bone, stabilize the limb, avoid putting weight on it and be seen at an urgent care or emergency room as soon as possible.”

Read more: Seven Summer Safety Tips From Shriners Children's

Visiting Our Urgent Pediatric Fracture Clinic

It is easy!

First, patients need to have a documented, non-emergent fracture.

Patients can do this by first seeking treatment from their pediatrician or primary care physician, local urgent care center or emergency room to evaluate and stabilize the fracture.

Your physician can even arrange an appointment through our fracture referral process to be seen the next day at Shriners Children’s Spokane.

Fracture patients can then visit Shriners Children’s Spokane, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m.–10 a.m., for walk-in fracture clinic appointments.

Our experienced team provides expedited care in a family-friendly environment. Patients can even customize their cast with a variety of colors and patterns.

Shriners Children’s Spokane offers state-of-the-art interventions, like virtual reality goggles, to comfort patients during their visit.

The Shriners Children’s Spokane staff has treated pediatric specialty orthopedic conditions for nearly 100 years across Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Canada.

All care and services are provided regardless of the patient’s ability to pay or insurance status.