What Is a Growth Plate Injury?

Question: What Is a Growth Plate Injury?

Children are not just small adults. Their bodies are different, and when injuries occur, they may occur in a different way. Bones that are growing have an area called the growth plate that is the location of the most active growth of the bone.

Answer: This growth plate is weaker than the surrounding bone, and therefore, more susceptible to injury. That is why when a child falls or injures an extremity, it is often the area of the growth plate that is affected.

The growth plate closes at the completion of each bone's growth. Each growth plate closes at a slightly different time, but most close at the completion of puberty, at about age 12-14 in girls and age 14-16 in boys.

Growth plate fractures are important to recognize because of the possibility for long-term problems if the growth plate is damaged. The primary concern is that the growth plate can prematurely close, causing a deformity of the bone or a difference in limb length. If a part of a growth plate closes early, it is more likely to cause an angular deformity of the bone, whereas if the whole growth plate closes early it is more likely to cause a shortened limb.

Fortunately, the vast majority of growth plate injuries heal uneventfully. Even growth plate fractures that are badly displaced can often heal and resume normal growth. Ensuring proper treatment of a growth plate fracture can help reduce the chance of complications.

_Sources:

_{Chong A, "Epiphyseal Injuries" www.OrthoSeek.com © Wheaton Resource Corp.}