Fractures in children

Fractures in children

Fractures in Children – Extended Description

Children’s fractures are different from adults because their bones are more flexible, have a thicker covering (periosteum), and are still growing. This makes them more resistant to complete breaks but more prone to unique fracture patterns:

• Greenstick fracture – bone bends and cracks on one side.
• Buckle (torus) fracture – bone compresses and bulges without breaking fully.
• Physeal (growth plate) fracture – involves the growth center at the end of long bones; needs careful treatment to prevent growth disturbances.
• Complete fracture – bone breaks all the way through, less common than in adults.
• Pathological fracture – occurs through weak or diseased bone (e.g., cysts, metabolic disorders).

Healing Features in Children

• Children’s bones heal faster than adults.

• Their bones can remodel, meaning mild deformities can correct over time as they grow.

• However, untreated or mismanaged fractures near the growth plate may cause unequal limb length or angulation.

Treatment Principles

• Immobilization with splints or casts (most common).
• Closed reduction (manually realigning bone) if displaced.
• Surgical fixation (pins, plates, or screws) only in severe, unstable, or growth plate injuries.
• Rehabilitation is usually shorter, and children regain function quickly.