Epiphyseal Plate Injuries in Children
It is understandable for children to acquire a few bumps, scrapes, and bruises on their way to adulthood. On the other hand, some injuries are more serious than others and could lead to severe complications. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a few statistics on childhood injuries. Some of the highlights of this report include:
- More than 12,000 children between the ages of 0 and 19 die every year from an injury in the United States.
- These injuries are far more common in boys than girls, with boys suffering injuries at twice the rate of girls.
- The leading cause of childhood injuries is auto accidents, followed by pedestrian and bicycle injuries.
- Examples of other injuries include suffocation, strangulation, and drowning.
These statistics demonstrate that traumatic injuries in children are a serious issue and should be treated as such. There are different injuries that children can sustain. However, some of the most common are bone fractures. While these fractures could occur anywhere, the location of the fracture within the bone itself is crucial. Epiphyseal plate injuries can lead to significant complications.
What is the Epiphyseal Plate?
The epiphyseal plate is an important part of the long bones in the body. Some of the long bones include:
- The femur
- The tibia
- The fibula
- Humerus
- Radius
- Ulna
The role of the epiphyseal plate is to turn new cartilage into bone. Because of this, all of the long bones have at least two different epiphyseal plates which typically rest at the ends of the bone. Over time, as a child grows, the cartilage is turned into hard bone. This allows the bones to grow with the child. Because the growth plates are made up of cartilage in the beginning, they are also the weakest part of the child’s skeleton. This means that they are particularly prone to serious injuries.
How do these Injuries Occur?
There are several different ways that children could sustain a severe bone fracture while growing up. Some of the most common mechanisms of bone fractures include:
- A slip and fall injury, particularly on an outstretched hand.
- Being involved in an auto accident.
- A sports-related injury.
- Bicycle accidents.
- Pedestrian injuries, such as being struck by a motor vehicle
While these are general mechanisms of bone fractures, an epiphyseal plate injury is very specific. Because the epiphyseal plate is where new bone is generated from existing cartilage, there are some serious complications that everyone should be aware of. If not addressed early, these complications could impact a child for the rest of his or her life.
What are the Complications of Epiphyseal Plate Injuries in Children?
About a quarter of childhood fractures involve the growth plate in some way, shape, or form. When this occurs, it is essential to see a trained orthopedic surgeon so that a thorough evaluation can be completed. Even though most epiphyseal plate fractures will heal without any complications, some issues could occur. The most significant difficulty is a limb-length discrepancy. If the injury damages the growth plate, the formation of new bone could stop at that location. This means that one of the limbs could end up shorter than the other. This can lead to issues with balance, problems of the spinal cord, and significant aesthetic problems. Because of this, parents should seek medical care as quickly as possible. A thorough evaluation needs to be completed.
With the Help of a Lawyer
When a child has sustained an injury of the growth plate, this could require a trip to a hospital. Parents could be wondering whether or not their child is going to make a full recovery. This is where meeting with a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento can be helpful.
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I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. Epiphyseal plate injuries in children could lead to complications, such as limb-length discrepancies. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Epiphyseal Plate Injuries in Children: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ Epiphyseal Plate Injuries in Children.
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