Buckle fractures are a common type of broken bone in children. They most often happen in the forearm near the wrist after a child falls onto an outstretched hand.
The good news? Buckle fractures are typically stable injuries. Because children's bones are still growing and more flexible than adult bones, the bone can bend or compress without breaking all the way through.
What is a buckle fracture?
A buckle fracture happens when one side of a bone compresses or "buckles" without the bone breaking completely. You may also hear this injury called a torus fracture.
Buckle fractures most commonly affect the radius, one of the two bones in the forearm, near the wrist. They are especially common in children because growing bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones.
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What are the signs of a buckle fracture?
A child with a buckle fracture may have:
- Pain or tenderness near the wrist or forearm
- Mild swelling
- Pain when moving the wrist or arm
- Trouble using the injured arm normally
A buckle fracture may not always look like a broken bone from the outside. If your child continues to have wrist or forearm pain after an injury, it's important to have the injury evaluated. Here at Connecticut Children's, our pediatric orthopedic experts treat buckle fractures in kids every day.
What causes a buckle fracture?
Buckle fractures often happen when a child falls and tries to catch themselves with an outstretched hand. The force of the fall travels through the wrist and forearm, causing the bone to compress.
Falls during sports, playground activities, biking or everyday play can all lead to this type of injury.
How are buckle fractures diagnosed?
A pediatric orthopedic provider will examine your child's wrist and forearm and ask how the injury happened. An X-ray can help determine whether there is a fracture and what type of injury your child has.
Identifying the type of fracture matters because different wrist and forearm fractures may require different treatment.
How are buckle fractures treated in children?
Because a buckle fracture does not break all the way through the bone, it is generally considered a stable fracture.
Our approach at Connecticut Children's focuses on protecting the injured area while the bone heals. Depending on the injury and your child's needs, our orthopedic team may recommend a splint or cast.
Your child's care team will explain how to care for the injury and what to expect during recovery.
When Can My Child Return to Sports and Activities?
It's understandable for kids to want to get back to sports, recess and their usual activities as soon as they start feeling better. But feeling better doesn't always mean the bone is ready for every activity.
Follow your child's orthopedic provider's recommendations about when it is safe to return to sports and other activities that could put the wrist or forearm at risk for another injury.