Greenstick fractures

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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

X-rays can reveal most greenstick fractures. Your doctor may also ask for an X-ray of the uninjured limb, for comparison purposes. Some greenstick fractures are difficult to see because a child's soft bones may not show up as well on X-rays. In these cases, an ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan may provide better images.

References
  1. Carson S. Pediatric upper extremities injuries. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 53 (2006);41-67.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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Oct. 21, 2008

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