What is a greenstick fracture?

A greenstick fracture is defined as an incomplete fracture that occurs when a bone bends and cracks on one side without breaking completely through the other side. This type of fracture is particularly common in children, whose bones are more flexible and pliable compared to those of adults. In essence, a greenstick fracture resembles the way a green twig bends and partially breaks, making it analogous to the way young bones may be subjected to forces that cause bending and partial breaks rather than complete separation. These fractures typically heal well and can often be treated conservatively, such as with immobilization or a cast, due to the regenerative capacity of the growing bones in children.