Are you a worried parent whose child is suffering from a buckle fracture. But you know nothing about it and want to know what is a buckle fracture? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll discuss in detail, by the help of our orthopedic doctors in Abu Dhabi, who is susceptible to buckle fractures, its signs, treatment, recovery etc. So let’s get right to it!

Buckle fractures are also known as compression fractures. Children suffer from them quite often. Now, it’s important to understand what exactly they are – they take place when one side of the bone bends (or buckles…hence the name!) but doesn’t break completely. This is a stable fracture. What does that mean, you ask? Well, it means that the broken pieces of bone haven’t separated from each other.

They are also called torus fractures and are the perfect example of an incomplete fracture. Speaking of incomplete fractures, greenstick fracture is another example of an incomplete fracture. And in a greenstick fracture, the bone bends and cracks, however, it doesn’t break completely. Like buckle fractures, greenstick fractures are also frequently affecting children more than adults. And healing from them can take up to 6 weeks for a child but longer for an adult.

Why Are Children Most At Risk of Buckle Fractures?

It’s important to note that children tend to suffer from these injuries in their arms or legs more than adults and are more at risk of getting injured with buckle fractures. Why? Well, because children have something called ‘growth plates’ in their ‘long bones’ or arms and legs. Now, you might be asking, why in their arms or legs? It’s because these are softer areas of cartilage that harden into solid bone as the child grows up. And as they’re growing up, their bones are very flexible, so they may bend rather than break when there is added pressure on them.

Now, children play sports, and sometimes it can get a bit rough, or like how children love to dangle from swings…now these are typical activities that children love to take part in during childhood. Unfortunately, these activities can all result in a buckle fracture. Now, it’s not like adults don’t suffer from them, but it’s just a common occurrence. However, adults who are most likely to suffer from buckle fractures include people who have a condition called osteoporosis, which means they have weak bones, and those who take part in contact or extreme sports.

What Are The Signs?

If a person has a broken or fractured bone, they will experience immense pain. The pain will be coupled with bruising or swelling where the break has occurred. If the break takes place in the arm or the leg, the limb may look contorted. However, with a buckle fracture, there is often no irregularity. As with all fractures or breaks, it’s imperative to get treatment sooner rather than later, especially when it comes to children. Now, children’s bones heal very quickly compared to adults, and that’s why it’s essential to make sure the bone is supported to do so properly.

Treated and Recovery

Does a buckle fracture need a cast? In majority of the cases, the answer is a resounding YES, as they are often treated with a cast and even a splint. Most of the time, a splint is put on first, as it keeps the limb in place for the first few days until the swelling reduces. In case there’s no swelling or very little, doctors often apply a cast. And when the swelling eventually reduces or goes down, a plaster cast (and in some cases a fiberglass cast) is then put on. The thinking behind applying a cast is that a softer inside layer helps shield the skin and soft tissue while the harder layer clutches the bones in place, so it may heal. As far as children are concerned, their healing time for bones is usually 3 to 6 weeks, as discussed earlier. However, it might take longer in some cases, all depending on their age.

People who have a fairly simple fracture do not need to worry as they aren’t admitted nor kept in the hospital. Now, they will definitely experience severe pain or discomfort and even some swelling for the first few days. But raising your injured limb or resting it on a pillow does help in reducing the swelling. If you’re dealing with a fractured arm, you may have to sport a sling while walking or simply standing up. In case of a broken leg, the first few days will see the person need complete rest, with the leg elevated. After that initial period is over, the person will need to use crutches if moving around is absolutely essential. But will need to take care so that the bone isn’t disturbed while healing.

Greenstick vs Buckle Fracture

Let’s address the most burning question first. People often ask what is the difference between buckle fracture vs greenstick. Well, to put it simply, a former is the failure of a single cortex in compression and is minimally displaced and stable. While a greenstick fracture is caused by a bending force, causing compression on one cortex and tension on the opposite cortex.

Now that we know the difference between both, it’s equally crucial to understand BOTH these fractures in detail.

Greenstick Fracture

Greenstick fractures, the name, is derived from the analogy of a green (new / young) piece of wood breaking. Greenstick fracture takes place when a bone bends beyond its limit, leading to a part of the outside layer cracking, without technically breaking. Now, the crack is only partly through the bone and is not considered a severe, 100% break, a clear break right through the bone.  A greenstick fracture is a very common injury suffered by kids who have new bones that are soft as well.  

Buckle Fracture

This occurs when the pressure of a firm force causes the outer layers to fail, resulting in them folding in on themselves leading to a bump. Buckle fractures are also known as Torus fractures. Why? Well, this bump along the shaft of the bone resembles the shape of the columns of buildings. This too largely involves the outer layers of bone and is also considered less severe than a complete break.   

What is a Wrist Buckle Fracture?

In short, a wrist buckle fracture occurs when a small bone in the wrist bulges outside instead of breaking. But the long, detailed answer is that this is an injury that takes place when there is immense force put on the wrist. This powerful force leads to a small part of the wrist bones to bulge out instead of breaking. Now, this can happen when a child puts their hand out or extends it in front of himself / herself in order to break their fall.

Another thing to note is that these wrist buckle fractures can be tricky to identify even on an X-ray. Why is that? It’s because there is no break in the bone. The doctor will check the wrist and might even move / rotate it gently to locate the position of the pain.

Wrist buckle fractures are known to heal on their own over a period of 3 to 4 weeks. But the doctor might instruct the child to wear a wrist splint. A wrist splint is a removable piece of equipment, preventing the wrist from moving around loosely too much. 

We have some of the world’s leading orthopedic doctors in our Abu Dhabi medical center who are always available to treat any kind of fractures, any time.  

FAQs

What is a buckle fracture?

It is the failure of a single cortex in compression and is minimally displaced and stable. It occurs when the pressure of a firm force causes the outer layers to fail, resulting in them folding in on themselves leading to a bump.

Does a buckle fracture need a cast?

In majority of the cases, it is often treated with a cast and even a splint. Most of the time, a splint is put on first, as it keeps the limb in place for the first few days until the swelling reduces. In case there’s no swelling or very little, doctors often apply a cast.

What is the difference between a Greenstick and a buckle?

Greenstick fracture takes place when a bone bends beyond its limit, leading to a part of the outside layer cracking, without technically breaking. While, a buckle fracture occurs when the pressure of a firm force causes the outer layers to fail, resulting in them folding in on themselves leading to a bump.

What is the difference between a buckle fracture and a break?

Buckle fracture occurs when one side of the bone bends or buckles but doesn’t break completely. It’s a stable fracture. The broken pieces of bone haven’t separated from each other, like it does in a break.

What is the most common fracture in a child?

Buckle fracture, greenstick fracture and wrist buckle fracture are pretty common in children.

Can fractures heal without a cast?

It depends. Some fractures can easily heal without the use of cast, but only if they are non-displaced, which means the pieces of bone are still in alignment.