What does the term tarus fractures mean?
<h2>What does the term <em>tarus fractures</em> mean</h2>
Torus is derived from Latin (tori) meaning a swelling or protuberance. Torus (buckle) fractures of distal metaphysis of radius & ulna are the most common fractures of in lower forearm in young children
When the child falls on the outstretched hand, the bone buckles under the weight of the body. Typically, you will see a slight bend in the bone, but only on one side. It literally looks like the bone buckled, but didn’t break all the way through.
There is usually little if any deformity in the bone because the periosteum and cortex are intact on the side. Technically speaking, the bone has failed in ‘compression’, making the small ripple in the bone that you see on the x-ray.
Torus fractures hurt, but will not cause a visible deformity. If you push directly on the arm where it is broken, it will hurt, and the child can localize the spot very clearly. However, they can usually move the wrist joint without much trouble. Because of this, many of these fractures are diagnosed late because it can be difficult for parents to tell if it is broken or not
These are generally stable fractures, meaning that the alignment will probably not change with protection such a a cast or splint.
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