The adopted brothers are currently three and five. The same family adopted them each at birth and they share the same birthparents so they are brothers by birth and by adoption. The boys have always been on the active side. Their parents rarely take both of the boys anywhere together unless both parents are going so each can keep an eye on one boy. Some older birth siblings have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD.) Since the boys really enjoy rough housing their dad and adult brothers have been teaching them wrestling moves. Their now adult brothers by adoption wrestled all through high school on the varsity team and their dad really enjoyed practicing with them. The family allows the two little boys to tumble around on the carpeted floor practicing their wrestling moves. Unfortunately, the boys got a little too rough in their tumbling on Saturday night and the three year old ended up with a broken bone.

Apparently, the five year old landed wrong on his little brother and broke his femur. The femur is the large bone between the knee and the hip. Not just a hairline fracture, it was a compound fracture. The poor little guy had to be sedated to set the broken bone.

This is the second adopted toddler I have personally known who has had a broken femur. It is a hardship for the child who is in pain and uncomfortable and for the parents. They put the child in a cast from the waist down in a lying position with legs bent and spread apart. Therefore, the child cannot sit in a regular child safety seat. There are special safety seats, which the parent must rent for the six to eight week period, that allow the child to be strapped in to the car lying down.

The added weight of the cast can make the child too heavy to carry so the child is also fitted with a pediatric reclining wheelchair. The wheelchair is also rented for a six to eight week period. The child can’t sit on the toilet so he is fitted with extra large diapers that fit around the cast. The cast is left open in the diaper area.

Because the child cannot walk or use the bathroom, he cannot attend daycare for the next six to eight weeks. Therefore, his parents must take turns taking time off work to stay home with him or find a temporary in home sitter. Overall, a child with a broken femur is bad news for everyone involved.

Picture of Nick at three years when he broke his femur. Photo Credit Deborah Finch 2008 used with permission