A greenstick fracture is an incomplete break in a bone. One side of the bone cracks, while the other side stays intact. Greenstick fractures are most common in children, whose bones are softer and bend more easily than adult bones. These injuries often result from falls or accidents. With prompt treatment and follow-up, most people heal well, recover fully, and return to normal activities.

A greenstick fracture is a partial break in a bone, in which the bone bends and cracks on one side but stays intact on the other. The name comes from the way a young, green branch breaks, splintering on one side but staying unbroken on the other.

In a greenstick fracture, the bone and its outer covering break on one side only.

Greenstick fractures usually affect long bones in the arms (the radius or ulna in the forearm, or the humerus in the upper arm). They sometimes affect long bones in the legs (the fibula or tibia in the lower leg). They can also occur in other bones, though less often.

Greenstick fractures are usually caused by an accident or activity that puts sudden force on a bone, making it bend and crack. The most common cause is trying to break a fall with an outstretched arm. Other causes include direct blows to the limb, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and being struck by an object.

Children’s bones are more likely to have greenstick fractures because, compared with adult bones, they are softer and more flexible. Children’s bones also have growth plates (areas of developing cartilage near the ends of long bones) and a thick outer covering. These features allow bones to bend more before breaking. This flexibility means that, when force is placed on a child’s bone, the bone may crack on one side without breaking all the way through.

Greenstick fractures occur most often in children under 10 years old. Adults can also have greenstick fractures, but this is less common.

Risk factors for greenstick fractures include age, nutrition, and certain types of injury. The following are the main risk factors:

• Being a child under 10 years old
• Falling, especially onto an outstretched arm, which is a common way these fractures occur
• Taking part in sports or activities with a high risk of falls or collisions, such as playground play, cycling, or contact sports
• Having a direct injury to a limb, such as being hit by an object or being in a motor vehicle accident
• Having poor nutrition, especially low vitamin D levels

Symptoms of greenstick fractures usually include pain, swelling, and changes in the appearance or function of the affected limb. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the injury.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain and tenderness at the site of the injury, which may worsen with movement or pressure
• Swelling around the injured area
• Bruising near the fracture site
• A change in how the injured limb looks, such as a crooked or unusual shape
• Reduced range of motion, making it hard or painful to move the injured arm or leg
• Refusing to use the injured limb, crying, or protecting the arm or leg, especially in young children

Doctors diagnose a greenstick fracture based on a combination of medical history, physical exam, and imaging tests.

The doctor will ask about the details of the injury, such as whether it happened during a fall, from a direct blow, or in another way. The doctor may also ask parents or caregivers about the child’s behavior, such as refusing to move the limb or crying when the area is touched. During the physical exam, the doctor will check for pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity, and test the range of motion. The doctor will also assess the nerves and blood flow in the limb to rule out more serious injury.

To confirm the diagnosis and see the extent of the fracture, the doctor may order imaging tests:

• X-rays, often taken from multiple angles, to show damage to the bone, such as a crack that stops partway through the bone or the typical bending pattern of a greenstick fracture. They also help doctors check how much the bone is bent, whether it has moved out of place, and whether nearby joints are involved.
• Ultrasound, which does not use radiation and can take the place of X-rays in looking for forearm fractures.
• Additional imaging, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to see the fracture more clearly or to check for other injuries when there are concerns about them.

These tests help doctors decide on the best treatment and rule out other types of fractures or injuries.

Treatment for a greenstick fracture focuses on stabilizing the bone so it can heal properly without further injury. Every greenstick fracture needs a cast or splint to keep the bone from moving. Most greenstick fractures heal well without surgery. The exact treatment depends on the location and severity of the fracture.

Common treatment approaches may include:

• Immobilization with a cast: The most common treatment is to place a cast on the affected limb to keep the bone in place while it heals. The fracture’s location determines which type of cast is used. Most greenstick fractures are immobilized for about four to six weeks.
• Splinting: For fractures with only a small bend or curve, doctors may use a splint instead of a full cast if there are frequent checkups. This approach is used less often than a cast.
• Reduction (setting the bone): A bone that is significantly bent or out of alignment may need to be gently straightened by a doctor. Pain medicine is usually given before this procedure.
• Initial splint or partial cast: A doctor sometimes uses a splint or partial cast for the first few days and then switches to a regular cast. The temporary splint or cast leaves space for swelling.
• Orthopaedic follow-up: An orthopaedic specialist should check every greenstick fracture to monitor healing and lower the chance of complications.

Surgery is rarely needed for greenstick fractures but may be considered if the fracture cannot be aligned properly.

Complications of greenstick fractures include the bone breaking again. The chance of this is high because these fractures are unstable. People should avoid activities that could easily result in a fall until the bone has fully healed. Occasionally, other problems develop with healing or bone alignment.

The main potential complications are:

• Refracture, in which the bone breaks again in the same place, especially if another fall happens before the bone has fully healed
• Complete fracture, in which a bone that is not properly immobilized breaks all the way through
• Displacement, in which the bone moves out of position during healing
• Loss of motion or deformity, if the bone does not heal in the correct position
• Nerve injury, which can cause numbness or weakness and may occur with certain fractures, such as forearm fractures

A doctor should be contacted promptly if there is increased pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or inability to move the fingers or toes, or if the cast or splint feels too tight or causes new symptoms.

The outlook for people with greenstick fractures is generally good. When the fracture is treated promptly and monitored closely, most children and adults recover fully and return to normal function after the bone heals and the cast or splint is removed.

Proper immobilization and follow-up with an orthopaedic specialist help ensure the bone heals in the correct position and reduce the risk of complications. Without treatment, or if problems arise during healing, the bone could break again or develop a deformity. With good care, most people return to their usual activities and sports after healing is complete.

This article was medically reviewed in October 2026.