Signs and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the greenstick fracture. Mild fractures might be mistaken for sprains or bruises. More-severe greenstick fractures may cause an obvious deformity, accompanied by significant pain and swelling. When to see a doctor Contact your doctor if your child has persistent pain in an injured limb. Seek immediate medical attention if a child is unable to bear weight or if there is obvious pain, deformity and swelling. Causes Childhood fractures most commonly occur with a fall. Arm fractures are more common than leg fractures, since the common reaction is to throw out your arms to catch yourself when you fall. Risk factors The risk of greenstick fractures is higher in young children because their bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones. In a greenstick fracture, the bone bends and cracks instead of breaking into separate pieces. Most greenstick fractures occur in children under age 10.  

  




 


 
 By Mayo Clinic Staff By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Request an appointment   Diagnosis & treatment Diagnosis & treatment Diagnosis & treatment 
    Feb. 25, 2021
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Marx JA, et al., eds. General principles of orthopedic injuries. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Kliegman RM, et al. Common fractures. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Schweich P. Distal forearm fractures in children: Diagnosis and assessment. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Mencio GA. Fractures and dislocations of the forearm, wrist and hand. In: Green's Skeletal Trauma in Children. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Mathison DJ, et al. General principles of fracture management: Fracture patterns and description in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home. March 21, 2016.
Schweich P. Distal forearm fractures in children: Initial management. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Schweich P. Closed reduction and casting of distal forearm fractures in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Herring JA. Upper extremity injuries. In: Tachdjian's Pediatric Orthopedics. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
 Show references 
Marx JA, et al., eds. General principles of orthopedic injuries. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Kliegman RM, et al. Common fractures. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Schweich P. Distal forearm fractures in children: Diagnosis and assessment. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Mencio GA. Fractures and dislocations of the forearm, wrist and hand. In: Green's Skeletal Trauma in Children. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Mathison DJ, et al. General principles of fracture management: Fracture patterns and description in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home. March 21, 2016.
Schweich P. Distal forearm fractures in children: Initial management. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Schweich P. Closed reduction and casting of distal forearm fractures in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Herring JA. Upper extremity injuries. In: Tachdjian's Pediatric Orthopedics. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
 
Marx JA, et al., eds. General principles of orthopedic injuries. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Kliegman RM, et al. Common fractures. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Schweich P. Distal forearm fractures in children: Diagnosis and assessment. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Mencio GA. Fractures and dislocations of the forearm, wrist and hand. In: Green's Skeletal Trauma in Children. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Mathison DJ, et al. General principles of fracture management: Fracture patterns and description in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home. March 21, 2016.
Schweich P. Distal forearm fractures in children: Initial management. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Schweich P. Closed reduction and casting of distal forearm fractures in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016.
Herring JA. Upper extremity injuries. In: Tachdjian's Pediatric Orthopedics. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016.
 Marx JA, et al., eds. General principles of orthopedic injuries. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016. Kliegman RM, et al. Common fractures. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016. Schweich P. Distal forearm fractures in children: Diagnosis and assessment. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016. Mencio GA. Fractures and dislocations of the forearm, wrist and hand. In: Green's Skeletal Trauma in Children. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016. Mathison DJ, et al. General principles of fracture management: Fracture patterns and description in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home. March 21, 2016. Schweich P. Distal forearm fractures in children: Initial management. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016. Schweich P. Closed reduction and casting of distal forearm fractures in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 21, 2016. Herring JA. Upper extremity injuries. In: Tachdjian's Pediatric Orthopedics. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 21, 2016. 
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