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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffX-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
- Forearm fractures in children. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00039. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fractures. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://merck.com/mmpe/sec21/ch309/ch309b.html. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
- Bone health. National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/bone_health.cfm. Accessed Aug. 16, 2010.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 1, 2010.
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