Torus Fractures

This is a descriptive term and should be reserved for those fractures which penetrate one cortex and then spreads up or down the medulla but does not cross the contralateral cortex. This fracture may be associated with some bowing of the limb. This term should not be used synonymously with torus fractures. 

Compressive forces in children can result in cortical bone buckling. These fractures, which are commonly also referred to as buckle or torus injuries, are incomplete and the cortex is intact (Fig. 8.6a,b). Torus is derived from the Latin meaning a protuberance or knot and typically involves both cortical surfaces, while a buckle fracture may only involve a... 

Fig. 8.6a,b. Torus or buckle fracture of the distal radial metaphysis... 

Radiographs show a torus or greenstick fracture of the proximal tibial metaphysis. The fracture line may be poorly visible or even incomplete, running from the medial (tension) side. Occasionally, there may be valgus angulation and the fibula may also be fractured. 

Rogers LF, Malave S Jr, White H, Tachdjian MO (1978) Plastic bowing, torus and greenstick supracondylar fractures of the humerus radiographic clues to obscure fractures of the elbow in children. Radiology 128 145-150 Roposch A, Reis M, Molina M, Davids J, Stanley E, Wilkins K, Chambers HG (2002) Supracondylar fractures of the humerus associated with ipsilateral forearm fractures in children a report of forty-seven cases. J Pediatr Orthop 21 307-312... 

Torus (or buckle) fractures can be managed with either a padded bandage or a wrist splint. A cast is... 

Mouth Tetracyclines can stain body tissues, particularly cartilage and bone and there have been reports of blue discoloration of a palatal torus in a 91-year-old woman who had taken minocycline for 3.5 years [iso ll and of staining over the whole of the palate 138 ]. In one case minocycline-induced pigmentation caused a bluish black discoloration over the medial and lateral aspects of the left ankle following an avulsion fracture, mimicking persistent ecchymosis [139 ]. 

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