Growth plate injuries

Ankle injuries are very common in kids, especially in children who participate in sports. Ankle growth plate injuries are most likely to occur in the tibia or fibula, two of the three bones that make up the ankle joint. Ankle growth plate injuries can either be a fracture or a break and can take anywhere from four weeks to four months to heal.

Our pediatric foot and ankle care specialists offer comprehensive treatment to ensure proper healing and development for your child’s joint. Care approaches include casts or a walking boot, and in severe cases, surgery.

Elbow growth plate injuries are common in children and can occur as a result of a fall, strain or hyperextension. Children who participate in sports that require repetitive motions, such as tennis, baseball or golf, are more likely to sustain an elbow growth plate injury. One common growth plate injury among baseball players is little league elbow.

Many growth plate fractures of the elbow will heal with simple monitoring, rest and stretching exercises. Our physicians may also recommend stabilizing the arm with a cast or sling if the injury is more severe. Surgery is sometimes necessary for the most severe injuries. We will discuss all of the treatment options with you and create a treatment that works for your child's unique health needs.

Children with foot growth plate injuries commonly experience chronic heel pain, resulting from overuse and inflammation around the heel bone. This growth plate injury is known as Sever’s disease.

Depending on the severity, we may recommend rest, elevation, ice and strength their foot with exercises. Other instances may need a cast or surgery to correct the injury and ensure proper growth.

Growth plate injuries in the hand and wrist are common and normally result from falls on an outstretched hand. In fact, in children whose growth plates are still open, growth plate injuries in the hand or wrist can be more common than a wrist sprain.

Treatments often include monitoring by our experience physicians, rest and occupational therapy. Surgery is only necessary in the most severe features or breaks.

The hip is classified as a ball-and-socket joint. A growth plate exists in children at the base of the femoral head, or the ball of the joint. The proper growth of the top of the thighbone is dependent upon this growth plate.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a growth plate injury in the hip where the ball of the ball-and-socket joint slips at the site of the growth plate. SCFE generally occurs in children between 11 years old and 16 years old who are experiencing a growth spurt, but the exact cause is unknown.

Growth plate fractures of the shoulder are known as a type of acute injury in children, or one that results from a singular event or incident. Shoulder growth plate injuries typically involve the upper part of the humerus or collarbone. Overuse injuries in sports, such as baseball, can also lead to growth plate injuries in the shoulder, like little league shoulder.