Injuring a growth plate can potentially stunt a child’s growth in that limb for life. It can cause crooked bones or shorter limbs. This occurs because the growth plate is the portion of the limb that, well, grows. Therefore, injuring it can be a bit of an issue. Still, an injury there can be treated. If you need injury doctors in Patchogue, contact Dr. Jesu Jacobs today!
A growth plate is a cartilage clump at the end of most bones in a child. Usually, they stay open until the end of puberty (earlier in girls, later in boys). They are directly responsible for the outward growth of bones and thus surrounding tissue while a child grows. Although cartilage is extremely durable, it can break or crack just like bones. Still, like bones, the cartilage can heal entirely with the help of injury doctors in Patchogue like Dr. Jesu Jacobs!
Like bones, the growth plate can be injured in many ways. Commonly, the growth plate is damaged by sports or accidents that strain it. These can sprain, fracture, or break the growth plate.
Although surgery might be needed to position the bone correctly again, it may be unnecessary to go that far. If that is the case, simply giving the child a splint or cast is enough. Growth should then be monitored to ensure that the bone and growth plate heal properly and do not grow crooked. To prevent such things, the child should also eat a healthy diet encouraging skeletal growth. One that is high in vegetables, calcium, iron, and more. In some cases, physical therapy may be recommended or required for the bone and growth plate to grow back correctly. Still, assume that both the bone and the growth plate will take months to grow back fully at the very least. The child will be unable to play contact sports and likely unable to play sports at all.
Although breaking or fracturing a growth plate or bone can be troublesome for parents and children, it is not that big of a deal in most cases. Normally, a child will be healthy sooner than you think. Still, if you are worried or need to take that first step, contact injury doctors in Patchogue like Dr. Jesu Jacobs today!