What is a greenstick?

A greenstick fracture is an incomplete break of a bone, occurring most often in children. The term "greenstick" describes the bending and cracking of the bone, similar to the way a green stick bends and breaks when snapped. In a greenstick fracture, the bone bends and cracks on one side, but remains intact on the other. This type of fracture is more common in children because their bones are softer and more flexible than those in adults.