Introduction

A wrist buckle fracture is an injury that happens when there is lots of force applied to the wrist. The force causes a small part of the wrist bones to bulge out instead of breaking.

Wrist buckle fractures can happen when a child puts their hand out to break their fall. They are common in children because their bones are softer and more flexible than in adults.

If your child has a wrist buckle fracture, their wrist may be: 

• tender
• slightly swollen
• painful to move, especially when rotating their arm or flexing their hand. 

Take your child to your local doctor or nearest emergency department if they are showing signs of a wrist buckle fracture after a fall or other accident where there is force applied to their wrist. 

A wrist buckle fracture can be difficult to see on an X-ray because there is not usually a break in the bone. 

Your child’s doctor will check the wrist and move it gently to see where the pain is. They will also ask you some questions about how the injury happened.

Wrist buckle fractures will heal on their own over time. Your child may need to wear a wrist splint, which is a removable piece of equipment that helps to stop the wrist from moving around. Splints are usually worn for 3 – 4 weeks, day, and night.

Your child may need a follow-up appointment with their doctor one week after the injury to check the splint is well-fitted and there is no pain. The doctor may recommend some pain medication to make sure your child is comfortable while their wrist heals.

It is normal for the wrist to feel stiff after taking the splint off for showering and bathing. Numbness and tingling can be a sign that the splint is too tight and needs to be loosened.

Remind your child to continue moving the rest of their body while they heal to avoid stiffness.