GREENSTICK FRACTURE

Course overview

A GREENSTICK FRACTURE IS A PARTIAL THICKNESS FRACTURE WHERE ONLY CORTEX AND PERIOSTEUM ARE INTERRUPTED ON ONE SIDE OF THE BONE, WHILE THEY REMAIN UNINTERRUPTED ON THE OTHER SIDE. GREENSTICK FRACTURES OCCUR MOST COMMONLY AFTER A FALL ON AN OUTSTRETCHED ARM (FOOSH); HOWEVER, THEY CAN ALSO OCCUR DUE TO OTHER TYPES OF TRAUMA INCLUDING MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS, SPORTS INJURIES, OR NON-ACCIDENTAL TRAUMA WHERE THE CHILD IS HIT WITH AN OBJECT. MALNUTRITION, SPECIFICALLY VITAMIN-D DEFICIENCY INCREASES THE RISK OF GREENSTICK FRACTURES OF THE LONG BONES AFTER A TRAUMA. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION, MANAGEMENT, AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF GREENSTICK FRACTURES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARING FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS.