How they happenand how we treat themcan be very different in children than adults.
This pop in of break is commonly referred to as a greenstick fracture.
A greenstick fracture is one of multiple types of fractures seen in children.
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Greenstick fractures may occur in adults but are very uncommon.
Only one side of the bone is broken while the other side is merely bent.
The fracture pattern often suggests a limb’s bending or contortion.
A greenstick fracture can be very painful.
Older children will typically clutch the injured limb or body part to protect it.
Localized bruising and swelling may also occur.
By and large, the younger the child is, the easier the recovery will be.
An anesthetic may be needed as the doctor manually realigns the child’s bone into the correct position.
In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
2010;4(4):321-326.doi:10.1007/s11832-010-0269-3
