Table 2. Typical fracture types during the period of skeletal development and their characteristics.

Fracture type	Location	Mechanism	Characteristics	Stability
Compression fracture	Metaphysis	Compression	Principally in distal forearm	Stable
Greenstick fracture	Metaphysis, diaphysis	Compression and bending	Cortex interrupted on convex side but preserved on concave side (angulation)	Stable
Bowing fracture	Metaphysis, diaphysis	Bending	As for greenstick fracture, only plastic deformation with no fracture separation	Stable
Complete fracture	Metaphysis	Bending/ torsion	Angulation and complete displacement	Unstable
Transverse and oblique fractures (with/without bending wedge)	Diaphysis	Direct trauma with torsion	Complete displacement, angulation, shortening	Unstable
Torsion fracture (with/without bending wedge)	Diaphysis	Indirect trauma with torsion	Displacement, shortening, angulation	Unstable

Assessment of stability, together with the prognosis for growth, determines the treatment plan