The greenstick fracture results from direct trauma. There is an incomplete fracture of a long bone (radius or ulna) with cortical disruption on one side and deformity on the other, resulting in bowing of the bone.

A	AP radiograph of the forearm. This demonstrates the typical appearance of a greenstick fracture.

Links to online textbooks:

• Wheeless' Orthopedics: discussion of greenstick fracture

Links to online cases:

• University of Iowa
• Eatonhand.com

References:

• Rogers LF, Malave S Jr, White H, Tachdjian MO: Plastic bowing, torus and greenstick supracondylar fractures of the humerus: radiographic clues to obscure fractures of the elbow in children Radiology. 1978 Jul;128(1):145-50.           [See related articles]
• Noonan KJ, Price CT: Forearm and distal radius fractures in children J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1998 May-Jun;6(3):146-56.           [See related articles]