Growth Plates in Children
Understanding growth plates - how children's bones grow and what can go wrong
❓What is a Growth Plate?
Growth plates are areas of new bone growth in children and teens. They're made up of cartilage, a rubbery, flexible material (the same stuff that makes up your nose and ears).
Most growth plates are located near the ends of long bones. Long bones are bones that are longer than they are wide, such as:
- •The femur (thighbone)
- •The lower legs (tibia and fibula)
- •The forearm (radius and ulna)
- •The bones in the hands and feet
Think of It This Way:
Growth plates are like the "construction zones" of growing bones. They're where new bone is being built, allowing bones to lengthen and widen as your child grows.
⚙️What Does a Growth Plate Do?
Growth plates are one of the main ways bones grow. There are usually two growth plates in each long bone - one at each end. They work to:
📏Add Length
New cartilage cells form at the growth plate, which then slowly harden into bone. This process makes bones grow longer, which is why children get taller as they grow.
↔️Add Width
Growth plates also help bones grow wider and stronger. This happens at the same time as length growth, ensuring bones stay properly proportioned.
🔄The Growth Process
As kids grow, the growth plates go through this cycle:
- 1.New cartilage cells form at the growth plate
- 2.These cells multiply and stack up
- 3.Old cartilage hardens into solid bone
- 4.The process repeats until puberty ends
📅When Do Growth Plates Close?
Growth plates usually close near the end of puberty. A closed growth platemeans it has completely hardened into solid bone. Once this happens, the bones are no longer growing.
👧Girls
Girls typically have their growth plates close around ages 13-15. This is why most girls stop growing taller by their mid-teens.
👦Boys
Boys' growth plates typically close around ages 15-17. This is why boys continue growing taller for a couple years longer than girls.
Important to Know:
- •Different bones close at different times
- •Hands and feet typically close before arms and legs
- •Timing varies from person to person
- •X-rays can show if growth plates are still open
⚠️What Problems Can Happen With Growth Plates?
The growth plate is weaker than solid bone. This makes it more likely to get injured, especially in active children and teens. Problems that can affect growth plates include:
💥Growth Plate Fractures
Growth plate fractures are breaks that occur in or near the growth plate. These are fairly common injuries in children.
Common Locations:
- •Bones of the fingers
- •Forearm (radius and ulna)
- •Lower leg (tibia and fibula)
Good News:
Most growth plate fractures heal properly and do not affect future bone growth when treated correctly.
Possible Complications:
Sometimes, changes in the growth plate from a fracture can cause problems later, such as:
- • The bone ending up a little crooked
- • The bone being slightly longer or shorter than expected
- • Uneven growth compared to the other side
This is why proper medical treatment and follow-up care are so important!
🏃Overuse/Repetitive Stress Injuries
Overuse injuries (also called repetitive stress injuries) can affect growth plates in kids and teens. These happen from repeating the same movement over and over, usually in young athletes.
Common Overuse Injuries Involving Growth Plates:
Sever's Disease
Heel pain caused by inflammation of the heel's growth plate. Common in active kids ages 8-14.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Knee pain and swelling below the kneecap. Common in adolescents during growth spurts, especially athletes.
Jumper's Knee
Pain at the bottom of the kneecap from repetitive jumping. Common in basketball and volleyball players.
Little League Elbow
Elbow pain in young baseball pitchers from repetitive throwing motions.
Little League Shoulder
Shoulder pain in young baseball pitchers from overuse of the throwing arm.
Prevention Tips:
- • Warm up properly before sports
- • Use proper technique and equipment
- • Don't specialize in one sport too early
- • Take rest days between activities
- • Stop when pain occurs - don't "play through it"
- • Gradually increase training intensity
🛡️Protecting Your Child's Growth Plates
While growth plate injuries can happen, there are ways to reduce the risk:
🏈Use Safety Gear
- ✓Helmets for biking, skating, skiing
- ✓Protective pads for contact sports
- ✓Proper shoes for each sport
- ✓Wrist guards for inline skating
📋Smart Training
- ✓Proper warm-up and cool-down
- ✓Learn correct technique
- ✓Gradually increase intensity
- ✓Cross-train in multiple sports
😴Rest & Recovery
- ✓Take at least 1-2 rest days per week
- ✓Get adequate sleep
- ✓Listen to pain signals
- ✓Take breaks during growth spurts
⚠️Warning Signs to Watch For:
Contact your doctor if your child experiences:
- • Persistent pain that doesn't improve with rest
- • Pain that limits activity or sports participation
- • Swelling near joints
- • Limping or avoiding use of an arm or leg
- • Pain during or after specific activities
- • Visible deformity after an injury
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tell if growth plates are still open?
Yes! A simple X-ray can show whether growth plates are still open or have closed. On an X-ray, open growth plates look like dark lines because cartilage doesn't show up as well as bone.
Will a growth plate injury affect my child's height?
Most growth plate fractures heal without affecting final height. However, severe injuries or those that aren't treated properly could potentially affect bone growth. This is why proper medical care is so important.
Should my child avoid sports to protect growth plates?
No! The benefits of sports and physical activity far outweigh the risks. Focus on proper technique, appropriate safety gear, adequate rest, and listening to your child's body rather than avoiding sports entirely.
Can anything speed up or slow down growth plate closure?
Growth plate closure is primarily controlled by hormones during puberty. Certain medical conditions or hormone problems can affect timing, but this is uncommon. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your child's growth.
Related Topics
⚠️Important Medical Information
This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.
If your child has any injury near a joint, persistent pain, or problems with bone growth, consult your pediatrician or an orthopedic specialist. Early evaluation and treatment of growth plate injuries is important for proper healing.