Growth plate fractures affect the growing tissue layer connecting a child’s long bones. Growth plates are the weakest and softest sections of a child’s bones, including the arm and leg bones. They are the sites of bone action; thus, a doctor should look up to any major injury as soon as possible.
Falls, being hit in competitive sports, or even a car accident can cause growth plate fractures. They necessitate immediate medical care and therapy for your child’s bones to develop normally. We can treat a growth plate fracture by seeking medical assistance and following home care guidelines.
When Is Growth Plate Fracture More Likely To Occur
When your child or teen injures a joint, the growth plate is more likely to be fractured. In an adult, a comparable injury might result in a sprain.
Boys are twice as likely as girls to suffer from growth plate fractures. The physique of a female matures earlier than that of a boy. As a result, girls’ bones mature more quickly. Once they grow, the growth plates are replaced with stronger, solid bones.
Injuries to the growth plates are common in children and teenagers who participate in competitive sports or hobbies such as:
- Football
- Basketball
- Gymnastics
- Skiing
- Skateboarding
- Biking
- Sledding
Fractures can occur due to a traumatic incident, such as a fall, car accident, or long-term stress and usage. The long bones of the fingers (phalanges) and the outer bone of the forearm are the most common sites for growth plate fractures (radius). They’re also common in the leg’s lower bones (the tibia and fibula).
Growth plate fractures account for 15 to 30 percent of all pediatric fractures. The growth plate influences the mature bone’s future length and structure. Because growth plate fractures can influence bone growth, they usually require prompt treatment.
If a growth plate fracture is not treated properly, the broken bone may become more crooked or shorter than the opposite limb. Most growth plate fractures heal without problems with proper treatment. If not handled properly, it can lead to a crooked or unequally lengthened limb compared to the opposing limb. Fortunately, significant issues are uncommon. Most growth plate fractures heal without problems with proper treatment.
Obtaining Medical Assistance and Treatment For Growth Plate Fracture
Recognize the signs and symptoms of a growth plate fracture
You can be experiencing pain or discomfort and dismiss it as a minor ailment. On the other hand, a growth plate fracture can significantly impact how your bone grows. Identifying the signs and symptoms of a growth plate fracture might help you get the necessary care. It can also aid in the proper healing of the bone and prevent deformity or stunted bone growth. The following are examples of growth plate fractures:
- Tenderness and pain in a joint
- Moving is difficult.
- Putting weight or pressure on the joint area is difficult.
- Swelling and warmth near a joint or the end of a bone
- Deformity that can be seen
See your doctor as soon as possible
If you have a growth plate fracture, consult a doctor immediately. Let the scheduling agent know why you’re calling so you may visit a doctor within 5-7 days of experiencing injury symptoms. It will allow for effective treatment and reduce the risk of malformation.
- If you cannot see a doctor reasonably, go to an emergency or urgent care medical facility.
- If an injury hasn’t improved or healed after two or three days, you should see a doctor to assess it as soon as possible. It is particularly true for children and teenagers.
Put yourself through a test
A physician can only diagnose a growth plate fracture. Your doctor will examine the area and may request tests to determine the extent of the break and the best treatment options.
Give your doctor as much information about the injury as possible. Tell them when it happened, what symptoms you’re experiencing, and whether anything helps or worsens things.
Take enough rest
Allow yourself and the cracked region to rest as needed. The best way to promote healthy healing is to use the region as little as possible. Rest might also help to alleviate pain and discomfort. After a few days, gradually increase your activities while still protecting the injury location.
Final Thought!
It can take weeks for a growth plate fracture to heal. It would be best if you kept an eye on the wounded location even after healing. Your doctor may advise you to practice certain exercises to improve the affected area’s range of motion and strength. For up to a year after the initial injury, you may be required to visit your doctor for follow-up examinations. It will assist your doctor in recognizing that normal growth is following the accident.
You may also read our blog about THE 3 MOST COMMON SOCCER INJURIES
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