Greenstick fractures

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

A 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
  1. Forearm fractures in children. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00039. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
  2. Forearm fractures. In: Marx JA, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00048-7--s0160&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00048-7--s0190&uniq=215050869&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&sid=1040236330#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00048-7--s0160%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-05472-0. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
  3. Mathison DJ, et al. General principles of fracture management: Fracture patterns and description in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
  4. Fractures. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://merck.com/mmpe/sec21/ch309/ch309b.html. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
  5. Bone health. National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/bone_health.cfm. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
  6. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 1, 2010.
DS00817 Oct. 21, 2010

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