Buckle 'em Up: A Guide to Buckle Fractures
Fragments of bone splintering due to minor trauma: Causes and healing process
Hey there! Buckle fractures, a common issue, especially among kiddos. Here's a low-down on them.
Buckle fractures are compression fractures, a fancy way of saying one side of the bone bends, hurtin' but not quite breakin' all the way through. They're stable, meaning the pieces stay together. You might know 'em as torus fractures, 'cause they kinda resemble a tire (torus). They're an example of an incomplete fracture like the greenstick fracture, where the bone bends and cracks, but doesn't split completely.
Now, who's at risk? Kids, particularly, and mainly in their arms or legs. Kids' long bones (arms and legs) got growth plates — soft areas of cartilage that become solid bone as they grow. Because of their flexible bones, they tend to bend instead of break when under pressure. Sports, rough-housin', and typical kid stuff like runnin' around and climbin' trees are all risk factors.
Grown-ups can get 'em too, but less often. Those with osteoporosis—weak bones—or adult jocks playin' contact or extreme sports are at risk.
You'll know it's a buckle fracture if there's a lotta pain, swelling, or bruisin', and the site might look a bit off. But don't be alarmed if it doesn't look deformed like other breaks; regularity's not always the case.
If you suspect a break, keep the limb still, possibly with a splint, and raise it above the heart to decrease swellin'. Pain relief might be needed, but avoid heatin' the area.
It's essential to get treatment right away, especially for kids, 'cause their bones heal quickly, and proper support's important.
When you're in the hospital, the doc will examine you physically and possibly take an X-ray to confirm the break.
Most buckle fractures are treated with a splint and cast. A splint's applied first, keepin' the limb in place until the swellin' goes down. If there's little to no swellin', a cast might go on straight away.
After the swellin' subsides, a plaster or fiberglass cast is put on. A soft inner layer protects the skin and soft tissue, while the hard outer layer keeps the bones in place to heal. Kids' usually wear the cast for the healing time, which is around 4-6 weeks, but may take longer based on their age.
Occasionally, if the bone's been bent, it may need to be reset for better alignment. The doc'll do this, and sedation or general anesthesia might be needed depending on the severity.
While wearin' the cast, take care not to get it wet, keep it clean, and avoid powder and creams inside. Limit heavy liftin' and, if necessary, drive a car. Your doc may advise the use of crutches or a sling.
Keep exercisin' uncovered joints to improve circulation, and try not to disturb the bone while it's healin'. If any complications arise, get medical attention promptly.
Buckle fractures are a common occurrence, with children being most affected. The majority of cases are treated quickly, and no lasting complications are expected. As for grown-ups, they tend to heal more slowly, but a full recovery's usually on the horizon.
[1] Buckle fractures in children: symptoms, causes & treatment options. (n.d.). Mercy Children's Hospital.[2] Buckle fractures. (2021, April 16). Stanford Children's Health.[3] Greenstick fractures in children: causes, symptoms & treatment. (n.d.). Mercy Children's Hospital.[4] What causes greenstick fractures in children? (n.d.). Stanford Children's Health.[5] Buckle fractures: symptoms, causes & treatments. (2021, June 30). Hopkins Medicine.[6] Living with a cast. (2019, April 9). NHS.[7] What is a distal radius fracture? (n.d.). OrthoInfo.[8] Symptoms of a fracture. (n.d.). START.UW Health.[9] Boston Children's Hospital: Osteoporosis & Fractures. (2021, March 1). Informa Healthcare.[10] Osteoporosis. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic.[11] Playground injuries: prevention & management. (2019, April 10). NHS.[12] Sports injuries: preventing & treating them. (2019, April 9). NHS.[13] Compression fractures: what they are & how to recognize them. (n.d.). Hopkins Medicine.[14] Epiphyseal plate injuries (Salter-Harris fractures). (2020, November 21). Office of Student Health.[15] Greenstick fractures vs. buckle fractures. (n.d.). Ortho Info.[16] Buckle fractures in children: everything you need to know. (n.d.). Healthline.[17] Fracture follow-up care. (2019, July 9). NHS.[18] How to protect an injured limb with a splint. (2018, July 20). Mayo Clinic[19] 10 tips for living with a cast. (2019, April 11). NHS.
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