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Practice

Buckle fractures of the distal radius in children

Maxim Ben-Yakov and Kathy Boutis
CMAJ April 19, 2016 188 (7) 527; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.151239
Maxim Ben-Yakov
Division of Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
MDCM
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Kathy Boutis
Division of Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
MD MSc
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Buckle fractures of the distal radius are common in children between 2 and 12 years of age

Buckle (torus) fractures occur when the bony cortex is compressed and bulges, without extension of the fracture into the cortex (Figure 1). This type of fracture occurs in about 1 in 25 children and represents 50% of pediatric fractures of the wrist.1 Cosmetic or functional consequences have not been reported in association with buckle fractures.2

Figure 1:
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Figure 1:

A buckle fracture of the distal radius in a six-year-old child. Arrows point to buckling of the cortex.

Treatment with a removable splint is just as effective as a short arm cast

Evidence from randomized controlled trials shows that children with this type of injury who are given a removable splint have better physical function, less difficulty with daily activities and a strong parental preference for the splint compared with children given a short arm cast.3 In Canada, 60% of emergency physicians currently treat buckle fractures of the distal radius with a removable splint.4

Splint use and return to play should be guided primarily by pain

Immobilization with a splint is used as needed to reduce pain and to protect against re-injury. Most children use the splint regularly for two to three weeks.4 Activities that could lead to re-injury should be avoided until the child has been free of symptoms for two weeks. Typically, most children resume full activities within four to six weeks.4

Follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon is not routinely necessary

Observational studies support the follow-up of this injury with a primary care physician.4 If clear instructions about splint use and the return to activities are provided at discharge in the emergency department, no physician follow-up is an option.5 An orthopedic surgeon should be consulted if the child’s condition is not improving over time or the child has not fully recovered by six weeks.4

Radiographs should be scrutinized for other diagnoses

Minimally displaced greenstick and Salter–Harris II fractures of the distal radius (see examples in Appendix 1, at www.cmaj.ca/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1503/cmaj.151239/-/DC1) may be mistaken for buckle fractures. These injuries require urgent outpatient orthopedic consultation within one week.2

CMAJ invites submissions to “Five things to know about …” Submit manuscripts online at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cmaj

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None declared.

  • This article has been peer reviewed.

References

  1. ↵
    1. Naranje SM,
    2. Erali RA,
    3. Warner WC Jr.,
    4. et al
    . Epidemiology of pediatric fractures presenting to emergency departments in the United States. J Pediatr Orthop 2015 July 14 [Epub ahead of print].
  2. ↵
    1. Wilkins KE
    . Principles of fracture remodeling in children. Injury 2005;36:A3–11.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  3. ↵
    1. Plint AC,
    2. Perry JJ,
    3. Correll R,
    4. et al
    . A randomized, controlled trial of removable splinting versus casting for wrist buckle fractures in children. Pediatrics 2006;117:691–7.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  4. ↵
    1. Koelink E,
    2. Schuh S,
    3. Howard A,
    4. et al
    . Primary care physician follow-up of distal radius buckle fractures. Pediatrics 2016;137:1–9.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  5. ↵
    1. Symons S,
    2. Rowsell M,
    3. Bhowal B,
    4. et al
    . Hospital versus home management of children with buckle fractures of the distal radius: a prospective, randomised trial. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2001;83:556–60.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
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Canadian Medical Association Journal: 188 (7)
CMAJ
Vol. 188, Issue 7
19 Apr 2016
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Buckle fractures of the distal radius in children
Maxim Ben-Yakov, Kathy Boutis
CMAJ Apr 2016, 188 (7) 527; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.151239

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Buckle fractures of the distal radius in children
Maxim Ben-Yakov, Kathy Boutis
CMAJ Apr 2016, 188 (7) 527; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.151239
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    • Buckle fractures of the distal radius are common in children between 2 and 12 years of age
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  • Factors affecting management of childrens low-risk distal radius fractures in the emergency department: a population-based retrospective cohort study
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