A buckle (or torus) 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.
This type of fracture usually happens in children under 10 years old. That's because their bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones. So the injury makes the bone bend and buckle, rather than break.
A buckle fracture usually happens when the bone is compressed (pressed together with force). This can happen, for example, when a child falls onto an outstretched hand.
Health care providers treat most buckle fractures with a splint.
Reviewed by: Richard W. Kruse, DO, Susan M. Dubowy, PA-C
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2021
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