What type of fracture is characterized by a partially bent and partially broken bone, commonly seen in children?

Prepare for your Physical Therapy Technician Certification (PTTC) Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions; each comes with hints and explanations. Boost your confidence and get exam-ready effectively!

The type of fracture that is characterized by a partially bent and partially broken bone, commonly seen in children, is known as a greenstick fracture. This type of fracture occurs because children's bones are more flexible than those of adults. Instead of breaking completely across, the bone bends and cracks partially, similar to how a green twig bends without breaking completely.

Greenstick fractures are often a result of falls or traumatic impacts and are relatively common in pediatric patients because children's bones have not yet fully hardened. The unique structure of children's bones allows them to sustain significant deformation without resulting in a complete fracture, which is why this type of injury presents as a bend with some fracture.

Other types of fractures, such as comminuted fractures, which involve the bone breaking into multiple pieces, or simple fractures, where the bone breaks cleanly but does not penetrate the skin, do not fit the description provided in the question. Stress fractures, which are small cracks in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse, also do not match the characteristics of the greenstick fracture.

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