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A child's bones are softer and more flexible than those of an adult, so they're more likely to bend than to break completely. This flexibility can result in a greenstick fracture, in which the bone cracks but doesn't break all the way through — like when you try to break a green stick of wood.

Most broken bones in children are greenstick fractures. These fractures can be more difficult to diagnose, because they may not cause all the classic signs and symptoms of a broken bone.

A broken bone typically causes pain, swelling and deformity. But these may be absent or minimal in greenstick fractures. It also can be difficult to tell the difference between a greenstick fracture and a soft-tissue injury, such as a sprain or a bad bruise.

If you or your child heard a snap or a grinding noise at the time of injury, it's more likely to be a fracture. Pain resulting from pressure on the limb also strongly suggests a fracture. Seek medical attention if your child is unable to move or bear weight on an injured limb.

Most childhood fractures occur when a child falls while playing or participating in sports. The arm bones are the most likely to be harmed because of the instinct to throw out your arms to catch yourself when you fall.

X-rays can reveal most greenstick fractures. Your doctor may also ask for an X-ray of the uninjured limb, for comparison purposes. Some greenstick fractures are difficult to see because a child's soft bones may not show up as well on X-rays. In these cases, an ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan may provide better images.

Broken bones, even greenstick fractures, need to hold still so they can knit back together. Casts are the most common way to immobilize a bone, but your doctor may decide that a removable splint could work just as well. The benefit of a splint is that your child might be able to take it off briefly for a bath.

Most casts now are made of a water-resistant material and are available in a variety of colors or designs. Unless the lining of the cast is also waterproof, your child should not go swimming with a cast.

Children's bones tend to heal faster than do those of adults, so your child's cast or splint may be removed in as little as three weeks.

Here are some tips to reduce your child's risk of greenstick fractures:

• Encourage regular exercise, which builds strong bones.
• Ensure that your child always wear safety gear for sports.
• Use car seats and seat belts at every age.
• Provide plenty of calcium in your child's diet.