What is Torus Fracture

Torus fracture is a break in any long bone. This type of fracture happens when one side of a bone gets pushed in and the other side of the bone bends out. This is not a complete break in the bone. Torus fractures occur most often in the long bones of the forearm (radius and ulna).

Torus fractures are common in children because their bones are softer than adult bones. Another name for a torus fracture is a buckle fracture.

What are the causes?

This injury occurs when too much force is applied to a bone. This can happen from:

• A fall onto an outstretched arm.
• A hard, direct hit.
• A car accident.

What increases the risk?

This injury is more likely to develop in children who are younger than 7 years of age.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this injury include:

• Pain.
• Swelling.
• Your child refusing to use or move the fractured arm or leg.

How is this diagnosed?

This injury may be diagnosed based on:

• Your child’s symptoms and history of injury.
• A physical exam.
• X-rays.

How is this treated?

This injury is treated with a cast or splint that is worn for 3–4 weeks to support the bone. This protects the injured area and keeps the bone in place while it heals.

Follow these instructions at home:

If your child has a cast:

• Do not allow your child to stick anything inside the cast to scratch the skin. Doing that increases the risk of infection.
• Check the skin around the cast every day. Report any concerns to your child’s health care provider. You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast. Do not apply lotion to the skin underneath the cast.
• Do not let the cast get wet if it is not waterproof.
• Keep the cast clean.

If your child has a splint:

• Have your child wear the splint as told by his or her health care provider. Remove it only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Loosen the splint if your child’s fingers or toes tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
• Do not let the splint get wet if it is not waterproof.
• Keep the splint clean.

Bathing

• Do not have your child take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until his or her health care provider approves. Ask your child’s health care provider if your child can take showers. Your child may only be allowed to take sponge baths for bathing.
• If your child’s cast or splint is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight plastic bag when he or she takes a bath or a shower.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, apply ice to the injured area.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your child’s skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
• Have your child gently move his or her fingers or toes often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
• Have your child raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of his or her heart while he or she is sitting or lying down.

Activity

• Have your child return to normal activities as told by his or her health care provider. Ask your child’s health care provider what activities are safe for your child. Your child may have to avoid certain activities until the cast or splint is removed.
• Do not allow your child to use the injured limb to support his or her body weight until your child’s health care provider says that it is okay.

General instructions

• Do not allow your child to put pressure on any part of the cast or splint until it is fully hardened. This may take several hours.
• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child has pain.
• Your child’s cast or splint becomes loose or damaged.

Get help right away if:

• Your child has increasing pain.
• Your child loses feeling in the fingers or toes.
• Your child’s fingers or toes turn cold and pale or blue.