Did your child fall? Is he crying because his arm or leg hurts? Let's talk about this Buckle Fracture! (Buckle Fracture in Children)

It's very common for children to fall and have minor accidents while playing. But sometimes, after a fall, the child keeps crying because an arm or leg hurts, and the area swells up. The first thing that comes to our mind is the fear of "Oh, my, I've broken a bone." But it doesn't always turn out to be a serious fracture where the bone completely breaks in two. Especially since children's bones are not as strong as those of adults, they have their own unique, slightly different types of fractures. One such fracture is called a buckle fracture .

Simply put, what is a Buckle Fracture?

Imagine, if you take a small plastic ruler and squeeze it from both sides, it will bend a little in the middle, like a bulge? Without breaking completely? That's what happens to a child's bone. A buckle fracture is not a bone that completely breaks in two. This is an incomplete fracture. Usually, when a child falls, like when they hit the ground with their hand, when a large force is suddenly applied to the length of the bone, one side of the bone is pushed in a little and the other side is pushed out a little. It's like a buckle. When you look at it on an X-ray, this looks like a small lump or bulge in the bone.

This condition is most common in children's bones, because their bones are still growing and somewhat flexible. Adults' bones are completely hardened, so if they fall, they will often break completely.

Breakages like this are often seen:

• Radius: The bone on the big toe side of the forearm.
• Ulna: The other bone in the forearm.
• Humerus: The bone from the shoulder to the elbow.
• Tibia: The shin bone from the knee to the ankle.
• Fibula: The shin bone.
• Femur: The bone in the thigh.

This buckle fracture is about one in four fractures in children, which means it is a very common condition.

How do I know if my child has a buckle fracture?

If your child shows these symptoms after a fall, you should be concerned.

• Pain: The child cries in pain when the injured area is touched or moved.
• Swelling: The injured area may be swollen.
• Bruising: You may notice some blue/purple bruising in the area.
• Non-use: The child refuses to use that arm or leg. For example, they refuse to hold a toy in their hand, or they say they can't walk.

If you have these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor right away . The doctor will examine your child and will likely order an X-ray. X-rays, usually taken from two angles, can clearly determine whether this is a buckle fracture.

What is the difference between a buckle fracture and a greenstick fracture?

Although both are common incomplete fractures in children, there is a clear difference between the two. See the table below to understand this.

How is a Buckle Fracture Treated?

You will feel a great relief when you hear this. A buckle fracture usually does not require a full cast. Surgery is not required at all.

Often, doctors recommend wearing a splint , a removable support that is attached to the arm or leg.

• You usually have to wear this for 2-3 weeks.
• This should be left on even when the child is sleeping. However, you can carefully remove it when washing hands or bathing.
• While the splint is in place, encourage your child to use their hand in a pain-free manner. Doing things like drawing, coloring, and eating will prevent the hand joints from becoming stiff.

The doctor will prescribe painkillers for pain and swelling. Also, keeping the arm or leg slightly elevated can help reduce swelling.

After the splint is removed, encourage your child to use their arms and legs normally. Safe activities, such as swimming, can begin immediately.

What happens if this condition is left untreated?

It is not a good idea to think, "This is no big deal, it will get better on its own" and not seek treatment.

If not treated properly, long-term problems can occur:

• Nonunion: The bone does not reconnect properly. Without proper support, the broken parts may not fit together properly.
• Malunion: A bone that heals incorrectly (misalignment). This can interfere with the function of the arm or leg.
• Long-term pain: If not treated properly, the child may continue to suffer from pain and swelling.

A doctor will examine this to determine if it is a buckle fracture or a complete fracture where the two bones have been displaced. If it is a displaced fracture, the bone will need to be reduced before a splint is applied.

Dangerous features to watch out for!

Sometimes, this can be more serious than a buckle fracture. If your child shows any of the symptoms below after a fall, take them to the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU) immediately. Do not wait for a regular clinic to open.

Finally, although the name 'Buckle Fracture' may sound scary, this is a very common condition in children, and with proper treatment, it heals quickly and completely. This will not cause any major disruption to the child's ability to go to school or perform daily activities. The most important thing is to not panic if an accident occurs, and to seek proper medical advice.

Buckle fracture, buckle fracture, child fractures, child fall, hand swelling, hand pain, greenstick fracture, child fracture, bone fracture sinhala, first aid for a bone fracture