What are the symptoms of growth plate injuries?

Your child or teen could have symptoms of a growth plate injury when your child:

• Stops playing because of pain after a sudden injury.
• Limits the amount of time playing because of an old injury.
• Has changes in the way their arm or leg bends.
• Cannot move an arm or leg because of pain.
• Has pain that continues after an overuse injury.

What causes growth plate injuries?

Growth plate injuries happen for many reasons. Most occur after a sudden accident, such as falling or having a hard hit to the limb. The most common cause of growth plate injuries includes:

• Falling down.
• Competitive sports (like football).
• Recreational activities.

Sometimes growth plate injuries happen when your child overuses a certain part of the body. For example:

• Gymnasts who practice for hours on the uneven bars.
• Long-distance runners.
• Baseball pitchers perfecting their curve balls.

Other reasons for growth plate injuries are:

• Child abuse.
• Injury from extreme cold (for example, frostbite).
• Radiation used to treat certain cancers.
• Medications for example, steroids.
• Neurological disorders that cause people to lose their balance and fall.
• Some inherited disorders.
• Bone infections.
• Metabolic disease, such as kidney failure and hormone disorders.

Is there a test for growth plate injuries?

Doctor’s test for growth plate injuries by:

• Asking about the injury.
• Examining your child.
• Ordering x-rays.

Sometimes the fracture in the growth plate may be hard to see. Your doctor may order other tests to look closely at area of the injury or pain, such as:

• CT scan, a special x-ray that helps to see the growth plate.
• MRI, a test that uses magnetic energy to look inside the body.
• Ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to look inside the body.

How are growth plate injuries treated?

Treatment of a growth plate injury depends on the type of fracture and may include:

• Using a cast or splint to stop movement of the growth plate.
• Setting the bones back in place with manipulation or surgery.
• Exercises after the injury heals.
• Long-term follow-up, which could include more x-rays.

Who treats growth plate injuries?

An orthopaedic surgeon, a doctor who treats bone and joint problems, treats most growth plate injuries. Sometimes you or your child will see a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, a doctor who treats bone and joint problems in children.