Signs and symptoms of greenstick fracture
- Pain at the injured area
- Protective behavior in older children
- Crying inconsolably in babies
- Swelling and discoloration in the area
- Gradual chronic pain or pain from a specific injury
Risk factors for greenstick fracture
- Activities with a high risk of falling
- Non-accidental injury
- Blow on the forearm or shin
- Greenstick fractures mostly occur in children and teens
- Children and teens have more flexible bones compared to adults
Diagnosis of greenstick fracture
- Projectional radiography is generally preferable for diagnosis
Treatment of greenstick fracture
- Removable splints result in better outcomes for torus fractures in children
- Repeat X-rays are not needed if the person is doing better after 4 weeks
Greenstick fractures in the fossil record
- Greenstick fractures found in the fossil record are studied by paleopathologists
- Fossils of Allosaurus fragilis show evidence of greenstick fractures
- Greenstick fractures are found in the fossil remains of Australopithecus afarensis
- Analysis of bone fracture patterns suggest that Lucy died from a vertical fall and impact with the ground
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2014) |
A greenstick fracture is a fracture in a young, soft bone in which the bone bends and breaks. Greenstick fractures occur most often during infancy and childhood when bones are soft. The name is by analogy with green (i.e., fresh) wood which similarly breaks on the outside when bent.
Greenstick fracture | |
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Greenstick fractures on X-ray. | |
Specialty | Orthopedics Pediatrics |
greenstick fracture (plural greenstick fractures)