The Daily PANCE and PANRE Question 17

A 6-year-old child falls onto his right arm. An x-ray demonstrates a buckle in the cortices of the distal radius, proximal to the growth plate, without angulation. What is the term used to describe this fracture?

  1. Salter-Harris Type III
  2. Salter-Harris Type IV
  3. Salter-Harris Type V
  4. torus
  5. greenstick

Answer: D

Torus fracture

Torus or buckle fracture is most common in a child. This is proximal to the epiphyseal plate and so is not a Salter-Harris issue. Greenstick fracture is also common in children in long bones and is a fracture which "bends" the bone without fracturing it.

Know Your Content Blueprint

Fractures of the forearm, wrist, and hand are covered in the NCCPA Content Blueprint Musculoskeletal System (10%)

Learn more about torus fractures, study the lesson flashcards and view ReelDx video cases at SMARTY PANCE Disorders of the forearm, wrist, and hand

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radius-and-ulnar-fracture

A 13-year-old with severe pain in left mid forearm after falling awkwardly on an outstretched left arm, unable to move left arm without significant pain (watch video)