Infographic: Growth plate injuries in children and teens

Dr. Shevaun Doyle says parents should take their child to the doctor if he or she has a sudden serious injury, experiences persistent pain, is unable to move freely or put pressure on an extremity, or if an old injury interferes with the ability to engage in athletic activities.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important because an injury to the growth plate may affect how the bone will grow. An untreated or improperly treated growth plate fracture may result in one leg that’s shorter than the other or a bone that doesn’t heal straight.

Pediatric orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating growth plate injuries. Fortunately, with the proper diagnosis and treatment, most growth plate injuries heal without complications.