What happens if you break a growth plate?
What happens if you break a growth plate?
A child continues to grow while the plates are “open.” A growth plate may fracture (break) due to a fall or another cause. A physical exam and X-rays are most often used to diagnose a growth plate fracture. Fractures of the growth plate can interrupt normal growth if not treated properly.
How long does a growth plate fracture take to heal?
Growth plate fracture healing time varies based on the type and location of the fracture. Typically, it takes several weeks for a growth plate to fully heal. Your orthopedic physician or physical therapist will likely recommend special physical therapy exercises and stretches to promote further healing.
Can you’re break a bone with a plate?
While some bones can heal by wearing a cast, others may require more invasive treatments, such as bone fracture repair. Bone fracture repair is a surgery to fix a broken bone using metal screws, pins, rods, or plates to hold the bone in place.
How do you know if your growth plate is broken?
Signs and symptoms of a growth plate fracture may include:
- Pain and tenderness, particularly in response to pressure on the growth plate.
- Inability to move the affected area or to put weight or pressure on the limb.
- Warmth and swelling at the end of a bone, near a joint.
Can you grow after growth plates close?
No, an adult cannot increase their height after the growth plates close. However, there are plenty of ways a person can improve their posture to look taller. Also, a person can take preventative measures against height loss as they age.
How do you know if I have damaged my growth plates?
Signs and symptoms of a growth plate fracture may include: Pain and tenderness, particularly in response to pressure on the growth plate. Inability to move the affected area or to put weight or pressure on the limb. Warmth and swelling at the end of a bone, near a joint.
Can you open growth plates?
Growth plates allow us to grow, and as long as the growth plates are active, or “open,” children will continue to grow taller. In some cases, a growth plate fracture can cause permanent damage to the growth plate and may result in abnormal growth in the future.
How can you tell if your growth plates have closed?
On an x-ray, growth plates look like dark lines at the ends of the bones. At the end of growth, when the cartilage completely hardens into bone, the dark line will no longer be visible on an x-ray. At that point, growth plates are considered closed.