A growth plate fracture is a type of break in a child's long bone, such as a thigh bone. Arms, lower legs, and fingers are other examples of limbs that have long bones.
Growth plates are located at both ends of a long bone. A break that goes through the growth plate can affect the growth of that bone. These type of breaks are common.
Treatment for your child's broken bone will depend on how bad the break is and where it's located. Many broken bones need only splinting or casting. Others may need surgery to realign the bone or keep it in place.
Your doctor may have put the broken bone in a splint or a cast. This will allow it to heal or keep it stable until your child sees another doctor. It may take weeks or months for your child's break to heal. You can help it heal with some care at home.
A sedative may have been given to help your child relax. Your child may be unsteady after having sedation. It takes time (sometimes a few hours) for the medicine's effects to wear off. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and feeling sleepy or cranky.
A growth plate fracture may cause pain and swelling. The injured limb may look crooked or deformed, and your child may not be able to move it or put weight on it.
Treatment will depend on how serious the fracture is and its location. A doctor may put the broken bone in a splint or a cast to keep the bone stable while it heals. This may be all your child needs. But some children need surgery to realign the bone or keep it in place.
The doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and how the injury occurred and will do a physical exam. Your child may have an imaging test, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI.
A fall or a collision is often the cause of a growth plate fracture. For example, it may occur from falling off a skateboard or running into another player during a game. Until a child stops growing, the growth plates are fairly weak and prone to injury. So these kinds of fractures are common.
A growth plate fracture is a break that goes through the growth plate in a child's long bone, such as a thigh bone or finger. Growth plates are located at both ends of a long bone. A break that goes through the growth plate can affect the growth of that bone.
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