What is a buckle fracture?
A buckle fracture, also known as a torus fracture, is a type of incomplete fracture that commonly occurs in children because their bones are more flexible than adult bones. Instead of breaking completely, the bone bends and buckles on one side.
- Mechanism: It's usually caused by a compressive force, such as falling onto an outstretched hand.
- Location: Buckle fractures are most common in the distal radius (the wrist end of the forearm bone), but can occur in other bones as well.
- Symptoms: Common symptoms include pain, swelling, and tenderness at the fracture site. The child may also be reluctant to use the affected limb.
- Diagnosis: A buckle fracture is typically diagnosed with an X-ray. The X-ray will show a bulging or buckle-like appearance on one side of the bone.
- Treatment: Treatment usually involves immobilization of the limb with a splint or cast for a few weeks. Because buckle fractures are stable injuries, they typically heal well and rarely require surgery.
- Prognosis: The prognosis for buckle fractures is excellent. Most heal completely within a few weeks, and long-term complications are rare.
Here's the information with Markdown links:
A buckle fracture, also known as a torus fracture, is a type of incomplete fracture that commonly occurs in children because their bones are more flexible than adult bones. Instead of breaking completely, the bone bends and buckles on one side.
- Mechanism: It's usually caused by a compressive force, such as falling onto an outstretched hand.
- Location: Buckle fractures are most common in the distal radius (the wrist end of the forearm bone), but can occur in other bones as well.
- Symptoms: Common symptoms include pain, swelling, and tenderness at the fracture site. The child may also be reluctant to use the affected limb.
- Diagnosis: A buckle fracture is typically diagnosed with an X-ray. The X-ray will show a bulging or buckle-like appearance on one side of the bone.
- Treatment: Treatment usually involves immobilization of the limb with a splint or cast for a few weeks. Because buckle fractures are stable injuries, they typically heal well and rarely require surgery.
- Prognosis: The prognosis for buckle fractures is excellent. Most heal completely within a few weeks, and long-term complications are rare.