Growth cartilage fracture in children

Growth cartilage helps determine the future length and shape of adult bones. Therefore, a child's growth plate fracture needs to be treated promptly and properly to avoid a limb that is crooked or has an unequal length when compared to the opposite limb.

Growth cartilages are areas of cartilage located near the ends of large bones. Growth plates are found in the long bones of the body, such as the femur, fibula, and collarbone in the forearm and hand. They are the last pieces of bone to harden in a child, and these special growth plates are very vulnerable.
Because growth cartilage helps determine the future length and shape of adult bones, a child's growth plate fracture needs to be addressed promptly. If not treated properly, it can lead to a limb that is crooked or of unequal length when compared to its opposite limb.
According to the Salter-Harris classification, there are 5 common types of growth plate fracture in children as follows:
Salter-Harris Type-I fracture: This is a fracture across the growth plate. Separation of the bony end from the bony shaft and complete disruption of the growth plate. Salter-Harris Type-II Fracture: This type of fracture breaks down part of the growth plate and also cracks the bone. In this type of fracture, the broken bone is not damaged and takes about 3 weeks to heal completely. Salter-Harris Type-III Fracture: This type of fracture breaks down part of the ascending cartilage and partially fractures the head of the bone. This type of fracture is common in older children. Salter-Harris Type-IV Fracture: Fractures of this type penetrate the bone shaft, growth plate, and end of bone. Salter-Harris Type V Fracture: This is a compression fracture that occurs in the growth plate. 4 rare types of fracture include:
Salter-Harris fracture type VI: There is a lesion in the peripheral part of the bone. Salter-Harris Type VII Fracture: This type of fracture involves disc damage. Salter-Harris type VIII fracture: This type of fracture involves an injury to the bone shaft. Salter-Harris Type IX Fracture: A periosteal lesion that impairs intraperiosteal hemolysis.

Growth plate fractures are often caused by a strong impact, such as a fall or vehicle accident. They can also occur gradually due to repetitive stress on the bones when children exercise too hard.
All children who are still developing are at risk for growth plate injury, but certain factors make them more likely:
Growth plate fractures in boys are twice as common as girls, because girls end their development earlier than boys. Growth spurts commonly occur during competitive sports such as soccer, basketball, or gymnastics. The incidence of growth plate fracture peaks in adolescence. Most growth plate fractures occur in the long bones of the fingers. They are also common in the outer bones of the forearms and the lower bones of the legs (tibia and fibula).

Growth plate fractures often cause persistent pain. Other common symptoms include:
Visible deformities, such as crooked limbs; Inability to move or put pressure on the limb; Persistent limping; Swelling, heat, and pain in the area around the ends of the bones, near the joints. Most growth plate fractures heal without complications. But the following factors can increase a child's risk of crooked bones, slow growth, or stunting. Some complications of a child's growth cartilage fracture include:
If the fracture of the growth cartilage is displaced, broken or crushed, the risk of limb deformity is greater. A baby's bones are growing, so if the growth plate is permanently damaged, there is a greater risk of developing deformities. If a child is nearing the end of development, permanent damage to the growth plate may cause only minimal limb deformity. The growth plates around the knee are usually more sensitive than in other areas. A kneecap fracture can cause a limb deformity that makes the leg shorter, longer, or crooked if the growth plate is permanently damaged. Growth plate damage in the areas around the wrist and shoulder usually heals faster without problems.

Because children's bones heal quickly, they need to be examined by a doctor as quickly as possible. It is important that the bone is treated appropriately before it begins to heal. The following are methods of checking for growth cartilage fractures in children:
Imaging tests:
Growth cartilage X-rays : Your doctor may order X-rays to help determine if there is a problem. growth plate fracture or not. X-rays provide clear images of dense structures, such as bones. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans: If more detail is needed, your doctor may order other tests that can better show soft tissues or cross-sectional images of the area injured. Physical examination:
After examining the child's symptoms and medical history, the doctor will conduct a careful physical examination of the injured area.
Physical examination is key to diagnosing growth plate fractures because some undisplaced growth plate fractures cannot be seen on radiographs. This is because they occur through the part of bone that is made up of cartilage, which is not as dense as bone.
In addition, because children's bones have a different structure and break in different patterns than those of adults, it can be easy to miss some of the small changes on the X-ray that indicate a growth plate fracture. Conversely, some areas look like fractures but are recognized by the pediatrician as normal growth or normal growth cartilage appears.

Growth plate fractures are usually treated with a splint or cast. Sometimes, the bone may need to be put back into place to allow it to heal in the correct position. This can be done before or after the cast. The length of time in a cast or splint depends on the location and severity of the fracture. Younger patients usually heal faster than older patients.
If the fracture has been corrected, you will need to see your child's chiropractor more often. The injured area needs to be closely monitored after it heals to make sure the baby's bones continue to develop normally.
Some growth plate fractures require surgery to ensure the growth cartilage is optimally aligned for the normal growth of that bone. The surgery is called open reduction and internal fixation by exposing the bone and fixing with screws and discs.
In summary, the condition of the child's growth cartilage fracture needs to be handled promptly. If not treated properly, it can lead to a limb that is crooked or of unequal length when compared to its opposite limb. Therefore, if the child shows signs of growth cartilage fracture, parents should take the child to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment.
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References: mayoclinic.org, hopkinsmedicine.org, webmd.com, epainassist.com