What Is a Greenstick Fracture? A greenstick fracture is a type of broken bone. A bone cracks on one side only, not all the way through the bone. It is called a "greenstick" fracture because it can look like a branch that has broken and splintered on one side. Who Gets Greenstick Fractures? Most greenstick fractures happen in kids younger than 10 years old because their bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones. In teens and adults, the injury may break the bone all the way through. But in children, the bone breaks on one side only. How Do Greenstick Fractures Happen? Greenstick fractures usually happen when a child falls and reaches a hand out to break the fall. How Are Greenstick Fractures Treated? Usually, orthopedic specialists treat this type of fracture with a cast. Back to Articles Related Articles Broken Bones Bones are tough stuff - but even tough stuff can break. Find out what happens when a bone fractures. Read More Broken Bones What happens when you break a bone? Read More Broken Bones Many kids will have a broken bone at some point. Here's what to expect. Read More Comminuted Fractures A comminuted fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone is broken into more than two pieces. Read More Buckle Fractures A buckle or torus fracture is a type of broken bone. One side of the bone bends, raising a little buckle, without breaking the other side of the bone. Read More Broken Collarbone (Clavicle Fracture) Learn about broken collarbones (or clavicle fractures), a common sports injury in kids. Read More Broken Collarbone (Clavicle Fracture) A broken collarbone is one of the most common types of broken bones. Find out how it can happen - and how to treat and avoid fractures. Read More First Aid: Broken Bones A broken bone needs emergency medical care. Here's what to do if you think your child just broke a bone. Read More First Aid: Broken Bones A broken bone requires emergency medical care. Here's what to do. Read More How Broken Bones Heal Broken bones have an amazing ability to heal. New bone forms within a few weeks of the injury, although full healing can take longer. Read More How Broken Bones Heal Broken bones have an amazing ability to heal, especially in kids. Full healing can take time, but new bone usually forms a few weeks after an injury. Read More How Broken Bones Heal Broken bones have an amazing ability to heal, especially in kids. Here's how. Read More Casts Some injuries will heal best if a cast is used. Find out how they work and how to take care of them in this article for kids. Read More Casts Casts keep bones and other tissues in place while they heal. Here's what to expect, and how to care for casts. Read More Casts This article for teens has tips on taking care of a cast so it keeps working as it should. Read More What to Expect When Your Cast Comes Off You probably can't wait to get back to your normal activities, but it takes a while for a limb that's been in a cast to finish healing. Here's what to expect. Read More Greenstick Fractures A greenstick fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone cracks on one side only, not all the way through the bone. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.