A buckle fracture is a type of broken bone. One side of a bone bends, raising a little buckle, without breaking the other side of the bone.
Buckle fractures — also called torus (say: TORE-uss) fractures — usually happen in kids under 10 years old.
That's because kids' bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones. So the injury makes a kid's bones bend and buckle, rather than break.
A buckle fracture usually happens when the bone gets pressed on really hard. This can happen when a kid falls and reaches an arm out to break the fall.
Doctors usually treat a buckle fracture with a splint.
Reviewed by: Richard W. Kruse, DO;Susan M. Dubowy, PA-C
Date Reviewed: 01-06-2018