Children's torus (buckle) fractures: Discharge advice
Fracture Clinic
Tel: 01206 742628
(Monday to Friday, 8.30 am -4.30 pm)
Emergency Department (A&E)
Tel: 01206 742117
What do I need to do?
Your child has suffered a torus, or buckle, fracture (break) of their wrist. This is the most common type of fracture in young children.
Young bone is still relatively soft and very flexible. For this reason, instead of breaking all the way through, the bone has a small crack or kink on one side only.
This type of injury heals very well in a simple and easy-to-apply splint rather than in plaster of Paris, which is cumbersome.
More Information
Most of these injuries heal perfectly well if the splint is worn for three weeks.
It is important to give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with the pain because their wrist will still be sore for a short period, even after the application of the splint.
The splint can be removed for bathing or showering without risk to the fracture.
If after three weeks your child’s wrist is still a little sore and stiff after being used, the splint can be reapplied for comfort. Do this for short periods only because it is best to try to start gently using the arm as normally as possible. If required, use a simple pain relief medication, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
If after three weeks the wrist still seems very sore, swollen, or if your child is not willing to use it, contact the Fracture Clinic to arrange a follow-up appointment.
If your child removes the splint before the end of the three weeks, appears to be comfortable and can use the arm freely, there is no reason to force him or her to wear the splint any longer.
It is best to avoid sports and rough-and- tumble play when wearing the splint and for two weeks after its removal.
Should you have any worries or concerns after your child has left hospital, please contact either of the departments below: Fracture Clinic Tel: 01206 742628 (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm) or Emergency Department (A&E) Tel: 01206 742117