The diagnosis
The diagnosis of a greenwood fracture is made in several ways. The first step is to have a detailed discussion about the course of the accident and the injury pattern, as this can often already be decisive. In older children and adolescents, an x-ray should then be taken to detect a fracture gap or even a malposition of the bone.
However, this method is often not suitable for younger children, as their bone substance is not yet sufficiently developed to be able to display it using X-rays. In such cases, an ultrasound examination can be used. This also provides information about the position of the bones in relation to each other and can sometimes also detect injuries and hematomas (bleeding) in the surrounding soft tissue.
Associated symptoms
The main symptoms of a greenwood fracture include pain. However, due to the bone structure of children, this can be easier than with other bone fractures. The pain can occur around the fracture site and can be triggered especially by pressure above the fracture gap.
If there is any suspicion, the doctor can check this during the physical examination. Any swelling that may occur can also cause pain and sometimes result in a painfully restricted range of motion. Especially if the fracture is located close to the joint, swelling can impair the free movement of the joint.
A haematoma (Latin for bleeding) can also occur over the fracture gap and in the entire region of the fracture. In addition, the child may feel pain when the affected part of the body is strained. Especially when bones of the legs are affected, a pain-free gait is often no longer possible at all.
Some children develop a slight fever in connection with a greenwood fracture. This symptom occurs more often in children in the context of a fracture of the bones. It can also be checked by a doctor and give an indication of the fracture.
In rare cases, there is a visible malposition of the affected limb. However, since greenwood fractures are only incomplete fractures, such an appearance is very rarely observed. Due to the special nature of childlike bones, the pain that occurs in the case of a greenstick fracture may also be less severe. Nevertheless, it is rather unlikely that a child who feels no pain at all will have a greenwood fracture.Usually the child at least reports pain when pressure is applied to the area directly above the fracture gap. If there is uncertainty as to whether a fall has caused a fracture, a doctor should be consulted in any case.
All articles in this series:
