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The epiphyseal plate is also known as Growth plates or physis. Epiphyseal are cartilage and serve in the areas of new growth bone in children and teens.
Growth Plate Function
Physis causes the growth of length and width to the bone. These growth bones are present on both sides of the long bone. As the kids grow, these cartilage turns into a solid one, and growth plates are closed.
What causes Epiphyseal Plates to Close?
When the growth plate turns into a solid one, the growth plates are closed, and they grow no more longer.
Release of estrogen and testosterone hormones at puberty is the cause of the closure of the epiphyseal plate, and the cartilage bone is replaced, by bone.
The age for the closure of epiphyseal plates for boys is 15-17 and for girls 13-15.
Growth plate fracture
The injuries to growth plates are termed, like fractures, and in the case of adults, it is called Sprain. Boys are more vulnerable to fractures because girls bones get mature earlier.
Growth Plate Types:
The Salter-Harris classification divides it into five types.
Type 1:
The injury hits the growth plate and separates the rounded edge of the bone.
Type 2:
The growth plate along, with a bone shaft, is separated from joints.
Type 3:
It disrupts the physis and rounded part of the bone and maybe the joint but doesn’t involve bone.
Type 4:
It affects the physis, bone shaft, and rounded part of the bone.
Type 5:
This fracture crushes the growth plates.
Symptoms of Epiphyseal fracture:
The symptoms of the epiphyseal fracture include
- Swelling on the affected area
- Severe Pain on the injury
- Unable to move the affected side because of bruises
Causes of Epiphyseal fracture:
The causes of epiphyseal plate fracture are listed below
- Injury because of falling down
- Competitive sports like football, basketball, running, etc
- Recreational activities
- Child abuse
- Bone infections
- Genetics
- Metabolic disease
Diagnosis of the fracture
The doctor will perform the following methods to diagnose the fracture.
- The doctor will ask about the injury, how did it happen, and some other questions.
- After this, he will examine the injury
- To confirm the fracture and the severity of the injury, he will ask for an X-ray.
- In some cases, the physician advises an MRI and CT scan.
Treatment for the fracture of the epiphyseal plate
The fracture of the epiphyseal plate is treated depending on the following conditions
- Age of the child
- Type of injury
The physician can perform the following treatment methods.
Use of splint or Cast
The doctor uses a splint or cast and puts the injured body part in it. The doctor will use his hand to set the injured body part.
After this, the doctor advises the patient to take rest and not to put pressure on the injury, and to limit sports activities.
The surgeon also recommends some exercises that can help in healing soon.
Surgery for Epiphyseal plate
If the fracture is not lining up in the cast or splint and if it is healing wrongly, and manipulation is impossible, then the doctor will perform surgery.
Temporary screws, plates, and pins are used in the surgery. Splint and cast are still used to align the fracture.
Who to consult?
In case of fracture, Consult the Orthopaedic Surgeon.
Final Words
In case of any injury or symptom, kindly consult the doctor immediately.
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