Why would an injury to the growth plate in a young child be of concern?
Why would an injury to the growth plate in a young child be of concern?
Growth plate injuries usually occur after a bone fracture (break), and they are a major cause of growth deformities in children and teens. Because the growth plate is where new bone develops, injury to this area can cause the plate to close prematurely and stop bone growth.
What injury is most common in young athletes?
Contusions and strains are the most common injuries sustained by young athletes. In early adolescence, apophysitis or strains at the apophyses are common. The most common sites are at the knee (Osgood-Schlatter disease), at the heel (Sever’s disease) and at the elbow (Little League Elbow).
What injury affects the growth plate?
Most growth plate fractures happen from falling or twisting. Contact sports (like football or basketball) or fast-moving activities (like skiing, skateboarding, sledding, or biking) are common causes. Growth plate fractures also can happen from repetitive activities, like training for gymnastics or pitching a baseball.
What causes sports injuries at a young age?
The following risk factors predispose young athletes to overuse injuries: Sport specialization at a young age. Imbalance of strength or joint range of motion. Anatomic malalignment.
What happens when you break a growth plate?
A growth plate fracture, if not treated promptly, can result in a leg or arm that’s crooked or shorter than another. Bearing weight on uneven legs causes hip and knee problems. With rapid and competent treatment, most growth plate fractures heal without complications.
What causes growth plates to close early?
When the body is done growing, these growth plates close. When children have a puberty growth spurt too early, their growth plates may also close too early.
What causes Apophysitis?
Apophysitis results from a traction injury to the cartilage and bony attachment of tendons in children and adolescents. Most often it is an overuse injury in children who are growing and have tight or inflexible muscle tendon units.
What is upper extremities of fracture?
A hand or upper extremity fracture occurs when a fracture, commonly known as a break or crack in a bone, occurs in the upper extremity. This includes the fingers, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and upper arm.
What can you do for damaged growth plates?
If there’s a growth plate injury, doctors can treat it with casts or splints. “Casts or splints keeps the limb immobile so it can heal better,” Dr. Ballock says. “If a bone is out of alignment, we may need to perform surgery to reposition it and possibly keep the bone growing.”
What are the top 10 sports injuries?
10 Common Sports Injuries: Prevention and Treatment
- Runner’s Knee. Knee injuries are one of the most common sporting injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons.
- Shoulder Injury. Shoulder injuries are common in a number of sports.
- Achilles Tendinitis.
- Concussion.
- Ankle Sprain.
- Tennis Elbow.
- Pulled Muscle.
- Groin Strain.
What is the most common cause of sports injuries?
Top Five Most Common Reasons For Sports Injuries
- OVERUSE. Chronic wear and tear of muscles, tendons, and joints can produce fatigue and overtraining muscle strains and cramps.
- TOO MUCH TOO SOON.
- IMPROPER REHABILITATION.
- IMBALANCED TRAINING SESSIONS.
- IGNORANCE.
How painful is a growth plate injury?
Signs and symptoms of a growth plate fracture may include: Pain and tenderness, particularly in response to pressure on the growth plate. Inability to move the affected area or to put weight or pressure on the limb. Warmth and swelling at the end of a bone, near a joint.
Can a sprain cause a growth plate injury in children?
A trauma that may have caused a sprain in an adult body could actually do more harm to a child’s growth plate than to the tendons and ligaments. About 15% of fractures in children are growth plate injuries.
How do I know if I have a growth plate injury?
Complain of persistent pain and soreness at a joint or in the heel, regardless of injury, especially if they are very physically active Injuries to the growth plate can be difficult to catch.
What is the prevalence of growth plate fractures in children?
About 15% of fractures in children are growth plate injuries. Because boys’ bodies tend to mature at a later age than girls’, boys have a higher incidence rate of growth plate injuries, and they tend to get them between the ages of 14 and 16.
What happens when the growth plate is damaged?
The cartilaginous cells transform into hardened bone cells, extending the bone: this is how bones grow. A possible injury to the growth plate needs to be evaluated by a specialist right away. The growth plate is the weakest point in the bone, and if it is fractured and left untreated, a growth plate injury could stunt bone growth.
