Growth Plate Fractures
Children who are still growing are vulnerable to a type of broken bone called a growth plate fracture. Bone growth in children takes place at a bone section near each end of the bone, called the growth plates. These sections are the last to harden as a child grows, and they are more susceptible than other parts of the bone to breakage due to injury or stress. Fractures that involve the growth plate must be treated promptly to ensure that bones continue to grow normally.
Growth plate fractures usually occur in the long bones of the fingers and in the bones of the lower arm and leg. Minor growth plate fractures are typically treated with immobilization, although doctors will often perform surgery on growth plate fractures to ensure that the bone aligns properly. Followup treatment will continue for up to a year after the cast is removed, to ensure that the bone is growing normally.
For more more in-depth information, please visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons web site.