A greenstick fracture is one that occurs when a bone bends and cracks rather than completely breaking into two pieces. Symptoms of this particular fracture vary due to how severe the damage was. Mildly severe fracture may be mistaken for a sprain or bruise; meanwhile more severe fractures may cause obvious deformity, as well as a significant about of pain accompanied with swelling in the affected area. The diagnosis process includes a physical exam where the affected area will be inspected, by your doctor, to look for signs of tenderness, swelling, deformity, numbness, or an open wound. The joints above and below the fractured limb may be inspected, and in order to check for nerve damage the patient may be asked to move his or her fingers in
