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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA child's bones are softer and more flexible than those of an adult, so they're more likely to bend than to break completely. This flexibility can result in a greenstick fracture. In a greenstick fracture, the bone cracks but doesn't break all the way through — like when you try to break a green stick of wood.
A greenstick fracture can be difficult to diagnose, because it may not cause all the classic signs and symptoms of a broken bone. Treatment for broken bones, even incomplete breaks such as a greenstick fracture, requires immobilization of your child's bone, so that the bone will grow back properly.
Symptoms
References
- Carson S. Pediatric upper extremities injuries. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 53 (2006);41-67.
- Hay WW. Orthopedics: Trauma, fractures. In: Current Pediatric Diagnosis & Treatment. 18th ed. The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2351689. Accessed July 22, 2008.
- Hopkins-Mann C, et al. Section 12: Musculoskeletal disorders in children. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. The McGraw Hill Companies; 2004. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=598149. Accessed July 22, 2008.
- Green NE. Fractures of the forearm, wrist and hand. In: Skeletal Trauma in Children. 3rd ed. Saunders, St. Louis, Mo.; 2003. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/100201301-4/728371990/1219/127.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-9294-X..50013-2--cesec62_310. Accessed July 23, 2008.
