What is the risk of a greenstick fracture?
The risk of greenstick fractures is higher in young children because their bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones. In a greenstick fracture, the bone bends and cracks instead of breaking into separate pieces. Most greenstick fractures occur in children under age 10.
What is a greenstick fracture of the fibula?
Pathophysiology A greenstick fracture is a partial thickness fracture where only cortex and periosteum are interrupted on one side of the bone but remain uninterrupted on the other.[1] They occur most often in long bones, including the fibula, tibia, ulna, radius, humerus, and clavicle.
What is the difference between torus fractures and greenstick fractures?
They are distinct from torus fractures. Greenstick fractures occur when the force applied to a bone results in bending of the bone such that the structural integrity of the convex surface is overcome. The fact that the integrity of the cortex has been overcome results in fracture of the convex surface.
Do you need surgery for a greenstick fracture?
Some patients need surgery for more serious greenstick fractures. Surgery may be done to realign the bone. The doctor may insert a slender rod or a metal plate with screws into the bone surrounding the fracture to maintain alignment while the bone is healing. The metal plates may be permanent, or your surgeon may remove them after you heal.
When does a greenstick fracture occur in a child?
It also goes by the term “partial fracture.” Because greenstick fractures happen in young, soft bones, they typically occur in children under 10 years old. What are the symptoms of a greenstick fracture?
Why do doctors put a splint on a greenstick fracture?
This helps not only to keep the bones in place as they heal, but also to prevent further breakage of the already damaged bone. Because greenstick fractures aren’t a full break, your doctor may decide that a removable splint will be sufficient for healing the limb.