Buckle Fractures

Buckle Fractures: 

 

A buckle fracture (also referred to as torus fracture) refers to the most common fracture in the arms and feet of young children. This form of fracture is ‘incomplete’, which means that the bone does not break completely; instead, the bone bends and has a small crack in it. This condition occurs in children since their bones remain soft and very flexible.

Buckle fractures heal well in a splint (which can be easily applied) instead of using a heavy plaster cast. This form of injury heals very well if the child wears the splint for approximately three weeks.

Symptoms of Buckle Fractures

A buckle fracture will cause a lot of acute pain. Protecting the injured limb can make the pain subside. If it’s a serious fracture, the arm or the leg will bend abnormally. Any form of sudden deformity in the arm or leg is most likely a sign of a buckle fracture. However, the fact that there is no deformity does not mean that there is no fracture. A fracture can still exist.

If your child has sustained an injury and the injured site appears tender to touch, he or she may have a fracture.

When the buckle fracture occurs in the forearm, the child will have difficulty turning his or her elbow or wrist. If it occurs in the leg, the child will experience pain when trying to stand on the leg.  Putting pressure on the broken bone can make the injured site and the symptoms worse.

Causes of A Buckle Fracture

Buckle fractures can happen from a fall, an impact, or a collision. They also can occur when the injury appears so serious that it cracks the bone. Since kids’ bones are very soft and pliable, a fall, impact, or collision can make the bone buckle without completely breaking it.

Children can sustain buckle injuries while playing sports, riding a bicycle, and climbing trees. They are also at risk of sustaining fractures from child abuse.

How To Diagnose A Buckle Fracture

There are different forms of fractures, and some have signs that are more obvious than others. For instance, an open fracture has a broken bone that projects out from the skin.

A buckle fracture, on the other hand, does not involve a broken bone. However, you may discover that the limb bends abnormally. The bone will bend on the opposite side from the break. Another type of fracture is a greenstick fracture. When a greenstick fracture occurs, the bone bends outward beside the break.

Doctors usually diagnose a buckle fracture with X-ray imaging. After a thorough physical exam, your child will likely need an X-ray to confirm any buckle or other fractures. The doctor may need to take several X-rays to see the affected bone from different angles. This not only confirms the diagnosis but also shows how damaged the bones are.

The X-ray will reveal the exact location of the break, the fracture’s size, and if any growth plates at the ends of the bones were affected. Additionally, your doctor will check the feeling in the limbs to ensure there is no nerve damage from the injury. This comprehensive approach helps in assessing whether nearby joints are also impacted, providing a complete understanding of the injury’s extent.

How To Treat A Buckle Fracture

As stated earlier, buckle fractures are usually diagnosed through an X-ray. Generally, these forms of injuries are stable fractures that doctors can treat with either a cast or a removable splint for 3 to 4 weeks. The cast or sling is utilized to protect and support the affected area while healing. The doctor may place your child in a splint for 3 to 4 more weeks to wear while participating in sports or other physical activities.

Since the bone is not out of position or completely broken in a buckle fracture, surgery will not take place.

Recovery and Long-Term Effects of A Buckle Fracture

The outlook for buckle fractures is very positive. Normally, the fracture will heal completely, and the child will not experience any long-term issues. Since buckle fractures are not complete bone breaks and are usually not growth plate fractures, they do not have any long-term effects on the health of the child’s bone. Your child should make a full recovery and have no long-lasting pain or other symptoms.

To make sure the treatment is successful, patients should follow the doctor’s Buckle Fracture Treatment Plan. Many parents are usually scared that their kids’ bones could get worse when they sustain this type of fracture. Almost all buckle fractures are normal injuries that children have. They usually heal uneventfully and do not cause a child additional problems.

By adhering to the prescribed treatment, you can ensure an optimal recovery, further reinforcing the positive outlook associated with this injury.

To determine the type of fracture your child has sustained, you need to consult with your pediatric orthopedic doctor. Here at the Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists, we have the knowledge, skills, and abilities with decades of expertise and lots of experience to successfully treat children’s skeletal systems. We are here to help get your child’s bones on the right path to healing correctly.

Complications and Follow-Up Care

While your child recovers from the fracture, it’s important to be aware of potential complications and ensure proper follow-up care.

Potential Complications

• Reinjury: If your child returns to activities like sports too soon, there is a risk of reinjuring the bone or experiencing a more serious fracture.
• Internal Damage: Fractures can harm the surrounding area, potentially affecting muscles, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and ligaments.
• Side Effects of NSAIDs: Be cautious of medication side effects, which can include bleeding, ulcers, stomach pain, and bowel complications.

Follow-up Care

Parents should schedule a follow-up appointment with the doctor to monitor the healing process. During this visit, the doctor may take additional X-rays to assess how the bone is healing. If the bone is not aligning properly, surgery might be necessary to correct it.

It’s crucial to contact the doctor immediately if the child’s pain worsens or if the cast becomes cracked, wet, or damaged. These issues require prompt medical attention to prevent further complications.

By staying attentive to these potential risks and maintaining regular communication with healthcare providers, you can help ensure a smooth recovery for your child.

Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists Offer World-Class Expertise

Our experienced and well-trained doctors specializing in children understand that your child’s mobility depends on how healthy the child’s body is. If your child has suffered an injury or is experiencing pain, making it difficult or painful to walk, our team of licensed and qualified orthopedic specialists will help. With the appropriate evidence-based treatment options and professional rehabilitation support, your child will get better quickly.

Our highly experienced doctors will determine the source of your child’s injury and develop a treatment plan. Your family-centered treatment plan also ensures that your child gets the attention he or she needs during the healing process. Our certified experts (comprising doctors, surgery staff, casting specialists, and doctor’s assistants) will provide the very best treatment your child needs.

Common Questions Our Specialists Are Asked About Buckle Fractures

Does my child need a follow-up appointment after a buckle fracture treatment?

In most cases, one follow-up appointment is needed to verify that the fracture is healing quickly without any complications.

Will the fracture area remain weak forever?

No ongoing weakness is associated with the affected bone after a buckle fracture. However, the muscles may take time to heal and become strong if the limb is still in a splint. After your child stops needing the splint, he or she will return to their normal ability and will regain their normal strength.

Who sustains buckle fractures?

Buckle fractures are usually found in children below 10 years of age. This is because kids’ bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones. So, instead of breaking, the injury makes the bones bend and buckle.

To understand how common these fractures are, consider this: 1 in 4 kids who break a bone will experience a buckle fracture. Moreover, these types of fractures account for half of all pediatric broken wrists. This high incidence is a testament to the unique nature of children’s developing bones and their propensity to bend under pressure rather than break outright.

In essence, buckle fractures are a frequent occurrence due to the inherent characteristics of children’s bones, making them a prevalent concern in pediatric orthopedics.

How do kids sustain buckle fractures?

Buckle fractures usually occur when hard pressure is exerted on the bone. This can occur when a kid falls and injures his or her arm in the process of trying to break the fall.

Treating a buckle fracture

Doctors usually use a splint to treat a buckle fracture.

After treating the buckle fracture

• Buckle fractures take three to four weeks to heal.
• In most cases, one follow-up appointment should occur.
• The child may experience weakness, tenderness, and stiffness for about one or two weeks after removing the splint.
• Ensure that your child has full strength and a full range of motion without experiencing any pain before he or she returns to activities.
• This form of fracture does not affect growth, stability, ability, or bodily functions.

Advice To Parents

Understanding Buckle Fracture Recovery for Your Child

When your child starts using their splint, they’ll often experience immediate relief. Although doctors recommend wearing the splint for approximately 3 weeks, you can remove it when your child needs to bathe, shower, or sleep. They will usually feel good enough to go to school after the first day.

Your child shouldn’t need to miss any school while they heal from their buckle fracture. However, it’s important to note that they should avoid intense physical activities, such as sports, for two weeks after their symptoms have completely disappeared. This precaution helps prevent further injury and ensures proper healing.

Most kids can resume all their sports and activities within a month, but it’s crucial to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on how long certain activities should be avoided. This professional advice will be tailored to your child’s specific needs and recovery progress, ensuring a safe and smooth return to their daily routine.

Short Term Recovery

Most children feel well enough to return to school after the first day, but it’s important to note that while they may feel better quickly, complete symptom improvement usually takes a few weeks. This timeline helps ensure that the bone heals correctly and minimizes the risk of future pain or complications.

During this period, monitoring your child’s comfort and ensuring they adhere to the splint’s use is crucial. This approach not only supports their immediate recovery but also contributes to a successful long-term healing process.

If you notice that your child remains in distress after the splint and over-the-counter medicine, consult your doctor as soon as possible. If the wrist remains very sore or swollen or your child is not able to use it after 3 weeks, do not hesitate to contact one of our specialists at 214-556-0590. We can quickly get you and your child in for a follow-up appointment.

Once we remove the splint, ensure that your child avoids sports and other physical activities that require high energy for another 3 weeks to avoid injuring the injured spot.

Recovery and Long-Term Effects of A Buckle Fracture

Normally, the fracture will heal completely, and the child will not experience any long-term issues. Since buckle fractures are not complete bone breaks and are usually not growth plate fractures, they do not have any long-term effects on the health of the child’s bone.

To make sure the treatment is successful, patients should follow the doctor’s Buckle Fracture Treatment Plan. Many parents are usually scared that their kids’ bones could get worse when they sustain this type of fracture. Almost all buckle fractures are normal injuries that children have. They usually heal uneventfully and do not cause a child additional problems.

What to Expect During Recovery

• Healing Timeline: Buckle fractures typically heal quickly. Most children only need to wear a splint for about 2 to 3 weeks. If symptoms like pain and tenderness subside, no further treatment or follow-up is usually necessary.
• School and Activities: Your child should not need to miss school while healing. However, they should avoid intense physical activities, such as sports, for two weeks after symptoms have completely resolved. Most children can resume all activities within a month, but it’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance.

Outlook and Consultation

The outlook for buckle fractures is very positive, with children expected to make a full recovery without lasting pain or symptoms. To determine the type of fracture your child has sustained, you need to consult with your pediatric orthopedic doctor.

Here at the Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists, we have the knowledge, skills, and abilities with decades of expertise and lots of experience to successfully treat children’s skeletal systems. We are here to help get your child’s bones on the right path to healing correctly.

Why Choose Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists

There are many reasons why parents should choose Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists for their child when he or she is diagnosed with torticollis.

• Experienced and skilled doctors. The doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists are highly experienced and skilled in the treatment of torticollis in children. They have treated hundreds of children of all ages with this condition.
• State-of-the-art technology. The Doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists use the latest state-of-the-art technology in the treatment of torticollis.
• A team approach. The doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists work closely with a team of other healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, athletic trainers, and child life specialists. This team approach ensures that your child receives the best possible care.
• A focus on patient satisfaction. Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists is committed to providing the highest quality care and a positive patient experience. The staff is compassionate and understanding, and they will work with you to answer all of your questions and concerns.

If your child has been diagnosed with a Buckle Fracture, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with the doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists with offices in Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX. They will discuss your child’s case and develop a treatment plan that works to heal the fracture quickly. Request an appointment by calling 214-556-0590.