A buckle fracture, also known as a torus fracture, is a type of broken bone that is common in children. It occurs when one side of a bone bends, raising a little buckle, without breaking the other side of the bone. Buckle fractures are usually caused by sudden pressure on a bone, such as falling on an outstretched arm. They are distinctive in children because their bones are softer and in a dynamic state of bone growth and development, with a higher collagen to bone ratio, so incomplete fractures such as the buckle fracture are a more common occurrence.
Buckle fractures are usually identified by performing a radiograph. The diagnosis of a torus fracture is made from both anterior/posterior and lateral projections. Buckle fractures are usually treated with a splint or removable backslab, which should be worn as much as possible but can be removed for bathing or showering. In nearly all cases, buckle fractures heal quickly and with no complications. There is no ongoing weakness of the bone following a buckle fracture, and it may take some time for the muscles to regain their strength if the limb has been held still in a backslab.
