Going home after your visit
Buckle (torus) fracture — advice for children
How to care for your child's buckle fracture at home, and when to ask for help.
Your child has a buckle (torus) fracture — a small, stable crack in the soft outer layer of a bone, often the wrist. It is very common in children, is not serious, and heals well — usually without a plaster cast.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back, or contact the fracture team, if any of these happen
These can mean the splint is too tight or the hand needs checking.
- Fingers become numb, or your child cannot feel them
- Fingers turn pale, blue or feel cold
- Fingers become very swollen
- Your child cannot move their fingers
- Pain gets worse and is not helped by pain relief
- The splint feels too tight, even after loosening it
CALL 999 Call 999 if a hand or arm becomes cold, pale and completely numb.
Caring for it
- Wear the splint for comfort, usually about 3 weeks.
- It can be taken off for washing, then put back on.
- Give paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain if needed.
- Encourage gentle, normal use of the hand as the pain allows.
- Avoid sports, trampolines and monkey bars until comfortable (about 3–4 weeks).
What to expect while it heals
These are normal and usually settle as the bone heals:
Mild achingSome stiffnessA little swellingTender to press
The pain should ease over the first week or two.
Follow-up
Usually no follow-up is needed — no routine x-ray and no fracture-clinic visit. Buckle fractures heal very reliably on their own. If you are worried, or the pain or swelling is not settling, contact the virtual fracture clinic for advice.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a severe breathing or circulation problem
ED / urgent service
A warning sign above that needs same-day reassessment
111
Urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, or you are unsure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team / GP
Use the number and follow-up plan in Your care details above