Torus fracture

Torus fracture also known as buckle fracture is a very common injury suffered by children. The Latin word 'Tori' which means swelling or protuberance explains the origin for the word torus. Known as an incomplete fracture as one side of the bone buckles upon itself without hurting the other side, children are prone to this type of fracture. The bone in the fractured area only bends and does not break.

Considered to be the most common fracture site in young children, this forearm fracture is a common occurrence next to the hand fracture. Both the radius and ulna are involved when the distal third of the forearm is injured. Generally the fractures involving the forearm can be classified under simple torus fracture or greenstick fracture. These incomplete fractures reveal cortical breaking on one side with or without a bulging or buckling of the cortex. Between the two incomplete fractures, torus or buckling fracture is more common. Children sustain this injury more, because their bones are weak due to immature mineralization. The buckling reaction is caused when there is axial stress on the bone.

With adequate rest torus fractures normally heal, but there may be soreness and discomfort in the area of fracture. There may not be any deformity in the case of torus fracture, since the cortex and periosteum are intact on one side of the bone. The orthopedic should carefully examine the x ray to ascertain that the side where there is tension is intact. There is the possibility of a greenstick fracture at the point, if the fracture is not on the compression side. In that case, the fracture may tend to deform in the cast. Casting for a short duration of about three weeks is done to heal torus fracture. Though it is similar to greenstick fracture, healing time is quicker in the case of torus fracture.