AEMCA Practice Exam

What type of fracture is most commonly seen in children?

1. Comminuted fracture

2. Green-stick fracture

3. Transverse fracture

4. Spiral fracture

The correct answer is: Green-stick fracture

The greenstick fracture is the type most commonly seen in children due to the unique characteristics of their developing bones. In children, bones are more flexible and have a higher collagen-to-mineral ratio compared to adult bones. This flexibility allows the bone to bend rather than break completely. A greenstick fracture occurs when the bone is bent and fractures on one side while remaining intact on the other, resembling the way a green twig breaks. In stark contrast, other fracture types such as comminuted or spiral fractures tend to occur under more severe traumatic conditions or in older, more brittle bones. Transverse fractures are also less common in children, as they often require more significant force and are not characteristic of the kinds of injuries typically sustained by children. Thus, the prevalence of greenstick fractures highlights the anatomical and physiological differences in pediatric bone structure and the nature of injuries in younger populations.