The Difference Between the Pediatric Bone and Adult Bone

This set of X-rays in the antero-posterior (A-P) projection shows the difference of the effect of a lateral force on the mid shafts of a pliable pediatric radius and ulna (a) and on the more brittle mature bones of a 19 year patient (b). In the pediatric bones they respond to the force by a bowing deformity without obvious macrofracture. This is a type of greenstick fracture. In the adult the bone shows transverse fracture of the radius and ulna.

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff Copyright 2011 101293.8bc01