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Growth Plate Injuries


About this topic


Growth plates are areas of growing tissue at the ends of bone. Growth plates are made of a soft tissue called cartilage. The cartilage later changes into bone making the bones bigger. Growth plates are weaker than the normal bone and are at risk to get hurt. When a child grows, the bones and muscles do not grow at the same speed. Muscles attach to bones, often near the growth plate. This can put stress on the growth plates and lead to an injury. Growth plates can get swollen and they can also break. A break in the growth plate is called a growth plate fracture. Growth plate fractures most often happen in: ‚  
  • Fingers
  • Lower arm bone
  • Lower leg bones
  • Foot
  • Upper thigh bone

What are the causes?


  • Overuse of muscles attached to growth plates
  • Direct blow to the bone like from:
    • Fall
    • Accident
    • Car crash
    • Child abuse
  • Very cold temperatures (frostbite)
  • Drugs ¢ ˆ ’ long-term steroid use for juvenile arthritis
  • Cancer treatment like chemo or radiation
  • Nerve problems where sensation or feeling is lost
  • Inherited problems with growth plates
  • Kidney and hormone problems

What can make this more likely to happen?


This disease is more likely to happen to kids who are physically active. It also is more common in children who are overweight. They happen most often when a child is between 8 and 15 years old. Boys get more growth plate injuries than girls. Sports are often involved. Jumping, running, and twisting can make a growth plate injury more likely. Some of these sports are: ‚  
  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Basketball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Gymnastics
  • Ballet

What are the main signs?


  • Pain at injured part
  • Swelling
  • A bump at the end of a bone that is sore to touch
  • Arm or leg looks deformed
  • Less motion at a joint
  • Locking of a joint
  • Walking with a limp if the problem is in the leg

How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?


Your doctor will feel around the injured area. Your doctor may also have you move your arm or leg in certain ways to check your motion and strength. Your doctor may also check your pulses and ask if there is any numbness in the arm or leg. Your doctor may order: ‚  
  • X-rays of both the injured and noninjured sides to compare
  • CT or MRI scan
  • Ultrasound

How does the doctor treat this health problem?


  • The doctor will make sure the bones line up. This may require surgery. Other times, the doctor can use their hands to line the bones up.
  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Keeping the injured part raised
  • Compression bandage or brace
  • Cast or splint to keep the joint in a certain position
  • Crutches to take weight off the injured leg if the problem is the leg
  • Exercises
  • Physical therapy (PT)

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain and swelling, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). These are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
  • Help with pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Children younger than 18 should not take aspirin. This can lead to a very bad health problem. ‚  

What problems could happen?


If a growth plate fracture is not treated right away, bone growth could slow down or stop. It could lead to the bone getting deformed or being shorter than the other side that is not injured. ‚  

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
  • Warm up slowly and stretch before you work out. Try doing some light activity before stretching. This will heat up your muscles. Warm muscles stretch better than cool muscles. Walking is a good light activity.
  • Keep a healthy weight so there is not extra stress on your joints. Eat a healthy diet with calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones healthy.
  • Wear the right equipment when playing sports.
  • Wear supportive shoes. Do not go barefoot.
  • Avoid running on hard surfaces.
  • Be careful when doing activities that have lots of jumping and twisting.
  • If you are a young baseball pitcher, follow guidelines for pitch counts.

Where can I learn more?


KidsHealth ‚  
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/growth_plate_injuries.html ‚  
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases ‚  
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Growth_Plate_Injuries/default.asp ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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