Growth Plate Injury
Growth plate injuries are most common around the wrist, and fairly common around the knee and elbow.
Growth plates are cartilage, weaker than bone, so when children are injured a special type of fracture can occur. Damage here can lead to growth problems later.
About 15% of bone injuries in children involve the growth plate, and 10–30% of those may lead to bent or deformed limbs, so see an orthopedic specialist quickly.
Common causes
01
Falling or jumping during play or sports and landing on an outstretched hand
02
Overtraining and overuse of the growth plate
03
Osteomyelitis damaging growth plate cells
Signs to watch for
- Injury to the joint area of an arm or leg
- Pain and swelling after injuring a joint
- Fracture or trauma from an accident
How we diagnose
History and examination
We check symptoms, medical history and lifestyle, then perform a physical exam.
X-ray
The basic first test. Further tests may be added for a definite diagnosis.
MRI
Shows soft tissue that X-ray cannot, such as muscles, ligaments, discs, cartilage, nerves and blood vessels.
How we treat it
If a child injures a joint and it swells, consider a growth plate injury first. Splint the area to prevent further damage and apply ice to reduce pain and swelling.
Stretching and protective gear
Growth plate injury from a fracture leads to growth problems or deformity in about 10–40% of cases, so prevention matters most. Warm up with stretching and always wear a helmet and joint guards.
Non-surgical treatment
Growing children heal quickly, and some injuries recover on their own with a splint, cast and rest. Because later problems may only show as the child grows, treatment is based on regular follow-up.
Surgical treatment
Rarely, a damaged growth plate disrupts bone growth or makes the bone grow crooked. Methods such as Ilizarov or wedge osteotomy vary by patient, and the pros and cons are discussed carefully.
When surgery is consideredResults vary with the type of growth plate injury, the bone and the child's age. A few children develop growth problems. Although rare, the consequences are serious, so a specialist diagnosis is essential.