Growth plate injuries, or fractures to the growing areas of children’s bones, can occur during sports. Older kids are less likely to have serious complications from growth plate injuries.
When kids break bones, they worry about how long they’ll need to wear casts.
Meanwhile, health care providers look for signs that fractures have affected children’s bone growth, which can happen when kids experience growth plate injuries.
Fractures to growing areas of the bone
Growth plates are cartilage areas at the ends of bones that haven’t hardened yet because the bones are still growing. These areas are weaker and more susceptible to injury than hardened parts of the bone.
A growth plate injury is a fracture to the cartilage area of a growing bone. Between 15 and 30 percent of childhood fractures involve a growth plate, said Dr. Jacob Lonsdale, a non-operative pediatric orthopedist at Marshfield Clinic.
Younger kids with several years of growing left are more likely than older kids to experience growth plate injuries because their growth plates are larger, said Sam Voight, a Marshfield Clinic licensed athletic trainer. Girls usually stop growing at 12-14 years old, while boys keep growing until they are 16-18.
Complications can vary
At best, growth plate injuries don’t cause any problems. At worst, they can cause the injured bones to stop growing.
“These injuries are potentially more harmful if they happen earlier because younger kids have more time left to grow,” Lonsdale said.
Children who have six months left to grow usually don’t have long-term problems after growth plate injuries. Children who have six years of growing left have a greater chance of problems with injured limbs, like shortened or crooked arms or legs, poor range of motion or pain.
Fractures near the hip, ankle or knee are more likely to cause complications than breaks near the elbow or wrist, Lonsdale said.
Treatment, follow-up are important
Growth plate injuries are treated like other fractures. Your child’s doctor will make sure the bone is in the best possible position for normal healing using a cast, splint or surgery.
The bone may heal normally, but growth plate damage can’t be reversed. It’s hard to know for sure if children will have problems later and how severe the problems may be.
“The majority of kids do fine after a fracture, but for a small percentage the bone permanently stops growing,” Lonsdale said. “They need to be followed and monitored so they can have the best possible functioning.”
Surgery, adaptive prosthetics and orthotics and physical and occupational therapy can help correct problems and improve function.
Use protective equipment
Growth plate injuries often happen while kids are playing on the playground or participating in sports.
“Parents, gym teachers and coaches should make sure kids have the required and recommended safety equipment for their sports and learn proper movements for complex skills,” Voight said.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against letting kids use home trampolines, a common thread in many childhood fractures.
For questions about broken bones, talk to a Marshfield Children’s provider.
Find a pediatric orthopedic provider Learn more about Cancer Care & Research
Related Shine365 stories
How can I tell if my child has a broken bone?
Kids’ exercise: The key to building better bones
Wear sports safety gear, don’t get sidelined
Great read!!! Thanks for sharing such a great blog.
I want to show appreciation to the writer for bailing me out of this problem. As a result of browsing throughout the online world and finding strategies that were not pleasant, I assumed my entire life was well over. Living minus the solutions to the issues you have fixed all through your good site is a critical case, as well as the kind that could have badly affected my entire career if I hadn't encountered your web site. Your own talents and kindness in maneuvering all the things was valuable. I'm not sure what I would've done if I hadn't encountered such a stuff like this. I'm able to at this point relish my future. Thanks very much for the reliable and effective guide. I will not be reluctant to suggest your web blog to anyone who would like guidance about this matter.
I dislocated my thumb . I just wanted to know if its going to affect my growth in height or any growth in my body . Please let me know
Hi Luis,
Thanks for reaching out. This is a great question for your doctor who has your x-rays and medical history. If you are a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient, you or your parent/guardian can message your doctor on My Marshfield Clinic: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Thanks,
Jake
362/5000
Hello, I'm writing from turkey and I thank you in advance for your interest in the topic. My 11-year-old national athlete's right ankle epiphys (growth bone) was broken, but she didn't leave the whole. some of them says surgery, some of them recommend treatment with plaster. X-ray films available. Is there any leg shortness? Is plaster or surgery better?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out. We are unable to provide medical advice on this platform. We recommend talking to your primary care provider.
Thanks,
Jake
So more than 5 months ago I broke my leg right above my growth plate. All my family is in the 5-6 foot range. I’m about 5’3” (I’m 12 almost 13) but I haven’t really grown since my broken leg. I’m usually a fast grower and I’m getting nervous that I might’ve hit my growth plate. My doctor said that I didn’t but there’s always a chance. If you could give me advice that would be great.
Hi Maggie,
We reached out to Dr. Lonsdale regarding your comment and here is what he had to say:
First, he suggested reaching out to him directly. His phone line is: 1-715-387-5139. You can give him more information on your situation and he can give you more specific advice.
Second, he said that, although it is possible to have growth stop completely after a fracture or broken bone, it is unlikely. It can take 6-9 months to know if the growth plate has been damaged and stopped growing.
Hope that helps and hope that you can get in touch with him and that he can advise you in greater detail.
Thanks again Maggie,
Jake
Hello,
My daughter fell and bust her nose when she was 5 causing immediate bleeding but no need for additional assistance.
Shes now 10 years old and still doesnt seem to have grown any cartilage? Is there a chance she wont due to the fall she had? My other 2 children seemed to have grown their "nose bones" by this age?
Thanks, Sarah UK
Hi Sarah – thanks for your question. We cannot provide medical advice on this platform. My suggestion would be to call your primary care provider and address your questions with him or her. Thank you. – Jake
I fractured my growth plate in my right ankle when I was 10. I am now 14 and I have barely grown an inch. I am 4’10” and I really want to reach 5’ but my parents are 4’11” and 5’5”, do you think I could make it? I feel like I would’ve been a lot taller if I didn’t fracture my ankle cause my body just seems like it. Any tips on growing?
Hi, Kyra. These are great questions for your pediatrician who has access to the x-rays from your fracture.
In the meantime, you might like this article from WebMD – "How Tall Will I Be: Tips on Predicting Your Height"
https://www.webmd.com/children/healthtool-kids-height-predictor
Thank you for reading Shine365. -Kirstie
my height is like 4'7 and last year august I fractured my collar bone. can my bone still grow even thought I'm fractured? by the way I'm 16
Hey, Leeann. Thank you for reaching out.
This is a great question for your doctor who has your x-rays and medical history. If you are a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient, you or your parent/guardian can message your doctor on My Marshfield Clinic: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Though we cannot give individualized medical advice on our blog, Dr. Lonsdale has said that non-displaced collarbone fractures can heal without concerns. Of course, this depends on the nature of the original injury and how much more growing you have to do. Your doctor can help you understand both of these factors.
-Kirstie
I had sholder dislocation from back before 2010 after that my height has not increased is it because my dislocated sholder or the reason is something else
Hi, Raghav.
It doesn't sound like you experienced a growth plate injury as this story discusses.
However, to be sure, you should reach out to your doctor. Your doctor has the x-rays or medical history to help answer any questions you have related to injuries and your growth.
-Kirstie
I fractured my femur when I was a month away from turning 16 years old, after my leg has been healed my fractured leg is slightly shorter about 1 to 2 inches shorter. Will it ever be the same height with the other leg, I'm currently 17yrs
Good morning, Jay.
This is a great question for your doctor who has your x-rays and medical history. If you are a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient, you or your parent/guardian can message your doctor on My Marshfield Clinic: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Growth problems after injury are determined by the nature of the original injury and how much more growing you have to do. Your doctor can help you understand both of these factors.
I hope that helps. -Kirstie
Does an injury in the lower back stunt growth? When I was 12, I landed abruptly in the scorpion position, and it hurted so badly. I think my lumbar spine must've compressed too quickly and I may have slipped a disc. The pressure from the fall gave me a bruise on my lower back for a long time. During cross country practice in high school, I would be able to feel "juice" coming out of the disc whenever I did stretches involving the back. I was growing very rapidly right before the injury and right after it, my growth stopped for 2 years. I suddenly started growing again when I was 15, but it wasn't much.
I think the injury stunted my growth, but I am not sure.
Hi, June.
I shared your question with Dr. Lonsdale. He responded, "Good question. An injury to one or two bones in the back (vertebral bodies) may affect the growth of those bones but it would not affect the growth of the bones in the rest of the body. Final adult height is determined by many things including genetics, nutrition, injury, and overall health and wellbeing. Even if one or two bones in the back were seriously injured I would expect that final adult height would not be affected much by that injury."
I hope that helps, and thank you for reading Shine365. -Kirstie
Hello! I had a growth plate fracture at age 13 in my knee. My legs both have the same length, but I am shorter than my doctor predicted me to be. Can it be that a growth plate fracture affects growth overall or does it only affect the damaged bone?
Kind regards
Hi, Salvatore. I shared your question with Dr. Lonsdale. He said, "This is a good question. A growth plate injury only affects the injured bone. It will not affect overall growth. If both of your legs are the same length it is unlikely that there was any growth problem due to the fracture. Overall growth and final adult height are determined by many things and can be difficult to predict without the correct tests and images."
Thank you for reading Shine365. -Kirstie
My son has broke his grouth plate so thay had to use the wire to manipulate the bone back in place but last week i took him for xray now they are telling me the bone has move and is not lined up what will happen now my child is 6 years old
Hi, Suzanne. This is a question for your son's doctor who has his x-rays and medical history. If you are a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient, you can message your son's doctor on My Marshfield Clinic: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic -Kirstie
Can a grouth plate in the wrist cause problems in growing
Hi, Suzanne. Thank you for reaching out.
We cannot provide individualized medical advice on this forum. As mentioned in the story, children with years left of growing have a greater chance of problems, and fractures near joints like the elbow and wrist are less likely to cause complications than those near the knee, ankle or hip.
That said, please know growth problems after injury are determined by the nature of the original injury and how much more growing you have to do. Dr. Lonsdale encourages you to ask your doctor this question at your next regular appointment.
-Kirstie
Hi
My toddler (3 years old) broke the top of his tibia right under the knee. It’s no displaced. His knee was stuck between the mattress and bed frame and was hyper extended. Will this fracture affect his growth? Since he is too young.
Hi, Lili. Thank you for reaching out. We cannot provide individualized medical advice on this forum. As mentioned in the story, children with years left of growing have a greater chance of problems, and fractures near joints like the knee, ankle or hip are more likely to cause complications than those near the elbow or wrist.
Your child’s doctor should be able to help you understand how the fracture will affect your son’s growth. He/she should have access to your child’s x-rays to help answer your questions.
If you'd like to get the appointment process started, visit our appointments link: https://marshfieldclinic.org/appointments
Thank you for reading Shine365. -Kirstie
I have a ankle injury from childhood will it affect my height growth
Thanks for reaching out, Daisy. I asked Dr. Lonsdale your question. He reminded me that growth problems after injury are determined by the nature of the original injury and how much more growing you have to do. He encourages you to ask your doctor your question at your next regular appointment.
-Kirstie
Hello, my fibula leg had a stainless steel on it and i'm 16. Will the stainless steel can affect my growth?
Thanks for the question. Please know we cannot give individualized medical advice on this forum.
I was able to ask Dr. Lonsdale for a general answer. He said, “Growth problems after a broken bone are determined by the nature of the original injury and how much more growing a person has to do and not usually by the plate or the rod used to fix it. Most people have no problems from stainless steel plates or rods in the body.”
He added that it’s very important you understand what your doctor has said regarding how long the rod or plate should be left in the body. “Some plates and rods can be left in and some need to be removed. Not because of the material but because of the location.”
We do suggest you bring your concerns and questions to your regular doctor when you can.
– Kirstie
My toddler is almost 2 years old and fractures his clavicle bone. It is a non displaced break. Will this cause a problem with growth? Is that bone a growth plate injury? It is in the middle of the bone. Concerned that this will cause issue later for him.
Sorry to hear about your toddler’s injury, Richie. I shared your questions with Dr. Lonsdale. Though we cannot give individualized medical advice on this forum, he said that non-displaced collarbone fractures in young children typically heal without concerns and should not cause any future problems with growth, pain, or function of the affected arm/shoulder.
-Kirstie
Hello! Thank you for sharing with Dr. That is a little reassurance although it still worries me that something may surface later. Are there any blood vessels or nerve there that could lead to damage? What about the potential for growth shortage of the bone? Appreciate the response.
Richie – These questions require evaluation of the break and your child.
You can request an appointment with Dr. Lonsdale by calling 1-715-387-5139 or visiting: https://marshfieldclinic.org/Doctors/Jacob-W-Lonsdale-MD
Or, you might consider a visit with your child's regular provider. If your child is a Marshfield Clinic patient, you can contact your provider directly through My Marshfield Clinic: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
-Kirstie